Written question asked by Grant Shapps (Conservative) on Friday, 2 June 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 6 June 2006. It was answered by Lord Coaker (Labour) on Thursday, 8 June 2006 on behalf of the Home Office.

Assets Recovery Agency

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Assets Recovery Agency recovered assets equivalent to 100 per cent. of its budget in (a) 2004-05 and (b) 2005-06.

Answer: The Agency did not recover assets equivalent to 100 per cent. of its budget for 2004-05 which was its second full year of operation. Civil recovery cases in the High Court can take over two years to complete litigation. This period is longer where respondents seek to use all their rights of appeal. The impact of legal challenges, although inevitable with new legislation, has delayed the progress of cases in the High Court. The Agency's Annual Report for 2005-06, which will set out progress in meeting last year's targets, will be laid before Parliament shortly.

Secondary information