Written question asked by Jacqui Lait (Conservative) on Wednesday, 10 May 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 12 May 2006. It was answered by Lord Coaker (Labour) on Wednesday, 17 May 2006 on behalf of the Home Office.

Animal Rights Terrorists

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he is taking (a) in co-operation with the Department for Trade and Industry and (b) otherwise to detain animal rights terrorists who use shareholder registers to threaten individual shareholders.

Answer: We have a clear cross-departmental strategy working with DTI and other Government Departments to put an end to the animal rights extremist threat and protect those targeted by it. We have introduced tough new legislation, supported the appointment of a dedicated senior police officer as national co-ordinator for domestic extremism and provided additional resources for the police to tackle the problem nationally. These steps have led to an increase in arrests, a reduction in incidents and a number of successful prosecutions which have seen leading activists receive lengthy custodial sentences.We are looking at what more can be done. The Company Law Reform Bill already proposes protection for members by providing that companies do not have to release details of their registers of shareholders if a court is satisfied that the information requested is not being sought for a proper purpose. Following recent attempts to defraud or intimidate members of a number of leading companies, we are looking at what measures can be taken to strengthen shareholder protection further in the Bill. We also intend to consult on how to stop malicious applicants from getting members’ details through Companies House rather than from the company.

Secondary information