Written question asked by Nigel Evans (Conservative) on Friday, 16 May 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 21 May 2008. It was answered by Lord Coaker (Labour) on Wednesday, 21 May 2008 on behalf of the Home Office.

Unfair Practices: Sales Methods

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent discussions she has had with the City of London Police on illegal share sales by boiler room operations; and if she will make a statement.

Answer: I visited the City of London Police Economic Crime Department in July last year to discuss a number of fraud related issues, including their work on boiler room fraud.The Home Office provides the City of London Police with additional funding over and above police grant each year to enable the force to operate as a ““lead force”” for investigating serious and complex fraud not confined to the Square Mile. This extra funding has enabled City to expand its Economic Crime Department and, among other things, establish Operation Archway, the national intelligence reporting system for boiler room fraud. Operation Archway has worked closely with other agencies, including police forces in this country and abroad, and a number of arrests have been made. Home Office officials are in regular contact with City of London police officers and receive regular updates about Operation Archway.

Secondary information