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Home Office

Answer

Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what changes he intends to make to the UK anti-money laundering agencies in response to the conclusions reached at the Justice and Home Affairs Council of 17 October. [134812] Mr. Charles Clarke: At the Justice and Home Affairs Council held on the morning of 17 October formal agreement was given to the draft Framework Decision covering the exchange of information between the Financial Intelligence Units of member states. It is unlikely that compliance with this instrument will require any change in the organisation of the National Criminal Intelligence Service, which performs this function in the United Kingdom. In the afternoon of 17 October Justice and Interior Ministers came together with their Finance Minister colleagues to discuss the fight against financial crime. This joint Council invited the member states to have in place special multi disciplinary units to fight money laundering. However such units could be either new or, where necessary could build upon existing arrangements. In the United Kingdom we are satisfied that the present anti money laundering role discharged by the National Criminal Intelligence Service fully meets the objectives identified by the joint Council.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

355 c422W; 134812

Session

1999-00

Subjects

Crime prevention International cooperation EU action Proceeds of crime National Criminal Intelligence Service

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk