House of Commons Hansard Written Answers for 9 Nov 2001 (pt 18)

HOME DEPARTMENT

Money Laundering

Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will provide a breakdown of how many convictions there have been for money laundering in total across the EU, and in each individual member state, in each of the last 10 years. [12393]

Mr. Bob Ainsworth: The term "money laundering" refers to a number of different offences. Information taken from the Home Office court proceedings database showing the number of persons convicted for money laundering offences during the period 1991 to 2000 in England and Wales is given in table 1.

Data for other European Union (EU) states are not collected regularly. The data in table 2 have been produced from a paper produced by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and was collected from the mutual evaluations of FATF members of which two rounds have occurred since 1991.

Table 1: Number of offenders convicted at all courts for money laundering offences, by type of offence, England and Wales, 1991–2000⁽¹²⁾

Code Offence 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000

Drug money laundering offences

93/49 S49 Drug Trafficking Act 194 (previously S14 Criminal Justice (International Co-operation) Act 1990 ⁽¹⁵⁾— ⁽¹⁵⁾— ⁽¹⁵⁾— 1 ⁽¹⁵⁾— ⁽¹⁵⁾— 4 ⁽¹⁵⁾— 12 5

93/50 S50 Drug Trafficking Act 1994 (previously S24 Drug Trafficking Offences Act 1986)⁽¹³⁾ Assisting another person to retain the benefit of drug trafficking ⁽¹⁷⁾— ⁽¹⁷⁾— 4 4 3 2 11 9 9 16

93/51 S51 Drug Trafficking Act 1994 (previously S23A Drug Trafficking Offences Act 1986 as inserted by S16 Criminal Justice Act 1993) ⁽¹⁶⁾— ⁽¹⁶⁾— ⁽¹⁶⁾— ⁽¹⁵⁾— ⁽¹⁵⁾— 3 13 7 9 5

Acquisition, possession or use of other proceeds of drug trafficking

93/52 S52 Drug Trafficking Act 1994. ⁽¹⁶⁾— ⁽¹⁶⁾— ⁽¹⁶⁾— ⁽¹⁵⁾— ⁽¹⁵⁾— ⁽¹⁵⁾— ⁽¹⁵⁾— ⁽¹⁵⁾— ⁽¹⁵⁾— ⁽¹⁵⁾—

Failure to disclose knowledge or suspicion of money laundering

93/53 S53 Drug Trafficking Act 1994 ⁽¹⁶⁾— ⁽¹⁶⁾— ⁽¹⁶⁾— ⁽¹⁵⁾— ⁽¹⁵⁾— ⁽¹⁵⁾— ⁽¹⁵⁾— ⁽¹⁵⁾— ⁽¹⁵⁾— ⁽¹⁵⁾—

Disclosure of information likely to prejudice an investigation ("tipping off")

Total drug money laundering offences ⁽¹⁵⁾— ⁽¹⁵⁾— 4 5 3 5 28 16 30 26

Offence of laundering proceeds of other crime

53/26 S93A Criminal Justice Act 1988⁽¹⁴⁾ as inserted by S29 Criminal Justice Act 1993 ⁽¹⁶⁾— ⁽¹⁶⁾— ⁽¹⁶⁾— ⁽¹⁵⁾— ⁽¹⁵⁾— 2 10 4 4 9

Assisting another to retain the benefit of criminal conduct

53/27 S93B Criminal Justice Act 1988⁽¹⁴⁾ as inserted by S30 Criminal Justice Act 1993 ⁽¹⁶⁾— ⁽¹⁶⁾— ⁽¹⁶⁾— ⁽¹⁵⁾— ⁽¹⁵⁾— 6 4 2 5 6

Acquisition, possession or use of proceeds of criminal conduct

53/28 S93C Criminal Justice Act 1988⁽¹⁴⁾ as inserted by S31 Criminal Justice Act 1993 ⁽¹⁶⁾— ⁽¹⁶⁾— ⁽¹⁶⁾— ⁽¹⁵⁾— ⁽¹⁵⁾— ⁽¹⁵⁾— 1 4 ⁽¹⁵⁾— 9

Concealing or transferring proceeds of criminal conduct

53/29 S93D Criminal Justice Act 1988⁽¹⁴⁾ as inserted by S32 Criminal Justice Act 1993 ⁽¹⁶⁾— ⁽¹⁶⁾— ⁽¹⁶⁾— ⁽¹⁵⁾— ⁽¹⁵⁾— ⁽¹⁵⁾— ⁽¹⁵⁾— ⁽¹⁵⁾— ⁽¹⁵⁾— ⁽¹⁵⁾—

Disclose of information likely to prejudice an investigation ("tipping off")

Total for offences of laundering proceeds of other crime ⁽¹⁵⁾— ⁽¹⁵⁾— ⁽¹⁵⁾— ⁽¹⁵⁾— ⁽¹⁵⁾— 8 15 10 9 24

Total for all offences ⁽¹⁵⁾— ⁽¹⁵⁾— 4 5 3 13 43 26 39 50

Code	Offence	1991	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000
	Drug money laundering offences
93/49	S49 Drug Trafficking Act 194 (previously S14 Criminal Justice (International Co-operation) Act 1990	⁽¹⁵⁾—	⁽¹⁵⁾—	⁽¹⁵⁾—	1	⁽¹⁵⁾—	⁽¹⁵⁾—	4	⁽¹⁵⁾—	12	5
93/50	S50 Drug Trafficking Act 1994 (previously S24 Drug Trafficking Offences Act 1986)⁽¹³⁾ Assisting another person to retain the benefit of drug trafficking	⁽¹⁷⁾—	⁽¹⁷⁾—	4	4	3	2	11	9	9	16
93/51	S51 Drug Trafficking Act 1994 (previously S23A Drug Trafficking Offences Act 1986 as inserted by S16 Criminal Justice Act 1993)	⁽¹⁶⁾—	⁽¹⁶⁾—	⁽¹⁶⁾—	⁽¹⁵⁾—	⁽¹⁵⁾—	3	13	7	9	5
	Acquisition, possession or use of other proceeds of drug trafficking
93/52	S52 Drug Trafficking Act 1994.	⁽¹⁶⁾—	⁽¹⁶⁾—	⁽¹⁶⁾—	⁽¹⁵⁾—	⁽¹⁵⁾—	⁽¹⁵⁾—	⁽¹⁵⁾—	⁽¹⁵⁾—	⁽¹⁵⁾—	⁽¹⁵⁾—
	Failure to disclose knowledge or suspicion of money laundering
93/53	S53 Drug Trafficking Act 1994	⁽¹⁶⁾—	⁽¹⁶⁾—	⁽¹⁶⁾—	⁽¹⁵⁾—	⁽¹⁵⁾—	⁽¹⁵⁾—	⁽¹⁵⁾—	⁽¹⁵⁾—	⁽¹⁵⁾—	⁽¹⁵⁾—
	Disclosure of information likely to prejudice an investigation ("tipping off")
	Total drug money laundering offences	⁽¹⁵⁾—	⁽¹⁵⁾—	4	5	3	5	28	16	30	26

	Offence of laundering proceeds of other crime
53/26	S93A Criminal Justice Act 1988⁽¹⁴⁾ as inserted by S29 Criminal Justice Act 1993	⁽¹⁶⁾—	⁽¹⁶⁾—	⁽¹⁶⁾—	⁽¹⁵⁾—	⁽¹⁵⁾—	2	10	4	4	9
	Assisting another to retain the benefit of criminal conduct
53/27	S93B Criminal Justice Act 1988⁽¹⁴⁾ as inserted by S30 Criminal Justice Act 1993	⁽¹⁶⁾—	⁽¹⁶⁾—	⁽¹⁶⁾—	⁽¹⁵⁾—	⁽¹⁵⁾—	6	4	2	5	6
	Acquisition, possession or use of proceeds of criminal conduct
53/28	S93C Criminal Justice Act 1988⁽¹⁴⁾ as inserted by S31 Criminal Justice Act 1993	⁽¹⁶⁾—	⁽¹⁶⁾—	⁽¹⁶⁾—	⁽¹⁵⁾—	⁽¹⁵⁾—	⁽¹⁵⁾—	1	4	⁽¹⁵⁾—	9
	Concealing or transferring proceeds of criminal conduct
53/29	S93D Criminal Justice Act 1988⁽¹⁴⁾ as inserted by S32 Criminal Justice Act 1993	⁽¹⁶⁾—	⁽¹⁶⁾—	⁽¹⁶⁾—	⁽¹⁵⁾—	⁽¹⁵⁾—	⁽¹⁵⁾—	⁽¹⁵⁾—	⁽¹⁵⁾—	⁽¹⁵⁾—	⁽¹⁵⁾—
	Disclose of information likely to prejudice an investigation ("tipping off")
	Total for offences of laundering proceeds of other crime	⁽¹⁵⁾—	⁽¹⁵⁾—	⁽¹⁵⁾—	⁽¹⁵⁾—	⁽¹⁵⁾—	8	15	10	9	24

	Total for all offences	⁽¹⁵⁾—	⁽¹⁵⁾—	4	5	3	13	43	26	39	50

⁽¹²⁾ Excludes any convictions in Staffordshire

⁽¹³⁾ Court Proceedings data prior to 1993 cannot separately identify offences under S24 Drug Trafficking Offences Act 1986 (since consolidated and replaced by S50 Drug Trafficking Act 1994) from other drug offences. For the years 1993, 1994 and 1995, a special exercise was undertaken to identify this specific offence. However as a 100 per cent. response from courts was not achieved 'estimates' for these three years were made.

⁽¹⁴⁾ Sections 93A to 93D Criminal Justice Act 1988 came into force in February 1994.

⁽¹⁵⁾ Nil return

⁽¹⁶⁾ Not applicable

⁽¹⁷⁾ Not available

Note:

All data are given on a principal offence basis

9 Nov 2001 : Column: 497W

Table 2: Number of convictions for money laundering offences, in certain EU countries

Country Year Convictions

Belgium 1994–99 182

Denmark 1994–99 88

Germany 1994 16

1995 15

1996 30

Ireland 1995–99 11

Italy 1994

1995 125

1996

Country	Year	Convictions
Belgium	1994–99	182
Denmark	1994–99	88
Germany	1994	16
	1995	15
	1996	30
Ireland	1995–99	11
Italy	1994
	1995	125
	1996

Source:

Financial Action Task Force

Overstayers

John Cryer: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications were made under the regularisation scheme for overstayers; how many applicants have had their cases decided; and how many cases are (a) under consideration and (b) awaiting action. [12870]

Angela Eagle: A total of 17,120 applications were received for consideration under the regulations of overstayers scheme. Of these 858 applications have so far been decided. Work is under way to validate the status of cases currently under consideration, though early indications are that there are now 4,300 cases in action within the integrated casework directorate. The remaining 12,000 cases are awaiting action.

John Cryer: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many caseworkers in the integrated casework directorate are engaged in considering applications under the regularisation scheme for overstayers; and if he has set a target date for the completion of consideration of applications under the scheme. [12804]

Angela Eagle: A dedicated unit in integrated casework directorate (ICD) north, currently comprising a senior caseworker and seven caseworkers, has been trained to

9 Nov 2001 : Column: 498W

consider applications under the regularisation scheme for overstayers. The resources allocated will be monitored closely as details emerge of the complexity of these cases and the productivity of this team. A target date of April 2002 has been set for the identification and consideration of cases where leave to remain can be granted under existing policy concessions. During the next financial year (2002–03) more caseworkers and resources will be devoted to the consideration of the remaining cases. The target date for the consideration of all cases is April 2003.

Incitement to Religious Hatred

Mr. Malins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions have taken place (a) for acts intended or likely to stir up racial hatred under sections 18, 19, 20, 21 and 22 of the Public Order Act 1986 and (b) under the Race Relations Act 1976; how many convictions resulted; and what were the (i) minimum and (ii) maximum sentences imposed. [12659]

Angela Eagle: The available information, provided by the Attorney-General's Office, relates to England and Wales for the years 1988 to date and is contained in the table. This relates to the number of applications for consent to prosecute for each year and the number of convictions resulting from the prosecutions. The whole of Part III of the Public Order Act 1986 is covered in the table, therefore including section 23 in addition to those sections requested.

The records relate to the year that the application for consent to prosecute was dealt with and so it is not possible to state with any certainty how many prosecutions resulted in convictions in any given year. Also, there are no centrally held records that can provide reliable information as to the minimum and maximum sentence imposed in any given year.

The Race Relations Act 1976 no longer includes provision for prosecuting offences of incitement to racial hatred, this having been transferred to Part III of the Public Order Act 1986.

Consent Applications and Prosecutions Since 1988 Under Part III of the Public Order Act 1986—England and Wales

Year Number of Attorney-General consent applications (per defendant) Withdrawn Not granted Prosecuted Convicted (Not necessarily in the same year)

1988 3 — 1 2 2

1989 1 — — 1 1

1990 2 — — 2 2

1991 4 — 1 3 1

1992 5 — 2 3 2

1993 2 — — 2 2

1994 2 — 2 2

1995 8 1 — 7 6

1996 13 1 — 12 9

1997 12 2 10 9

1998 2 1 — 1 1

1999 4 — 4 3

2000 5 — 5 ⁽¹⁸⁾2

2001-to date 8 — 8 ⁽¹⁹⁾—

Year	Number of Attorney-General consent applications (per defendant)	Withdrawn	Not granted	Prosecuted	Convicted (Not necessarily in the same year)
1988	3	—	1	2	2
1989	1	—	—	1	1
1990	2	—	—	2	2
1991	4	—	1	3	1
1992	5	—	2	3	2
1993	2	—	—	2	2
1994	2		—	2	2
1995	8	1	—	7	6
1996	13	1	—	12	9
1997	12		2	10	9
1998	2	1	—	1	1
1999	4		—	4	3
2000	5		—	5	⁽¹⁸⁾2
2001-to date	8		—	8	⁽¹⁹⁾—

⁽¹⁸⁾ Two results outstanding

⁽¹⁹⁾ Results awaited

Source:

Attorney-General's Office

9 Nov 2001 : Column: 499W

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