Written question asked by Mike Hancock (Liberal Democrat) on Friday, 6 October 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 9 October 2006. It was answered by Lord Coaker (Labour) on Monday, 9 October 2006 on behalf of the Home Office.

Serious Organised Crime Agency

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 31 July 2006 to Question 88186 what arrangements are in place for the (a) reporting and (b) accountability of the chair of the Serious Organised Crime Agency to (i) Ministers and (ii) Parliament; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: The Chair of the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) is appointed by the Home Secretary under section three of Schedule one, Part one of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005.The Chair of SOCA has reported on a regular basis, usually monthly, to the Home Office Parliamentary under Secretary of State and reported to the Home Secretary on a quarterly basis. It is expected that these meetings will resume once Parliament is back in session.A copy of SOCA’s overarching framework document was placed in the Libraries of both Houses of Parliament on 29 June 2006. Section 7(6) of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 requires the Secretary of State to lay a copy of SOCA’s annual report before Parliament.

Secondary information