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15 Jan 2009 : Column 993W—continued
Mr. Alan Campbell: Data relating to the transfer of cases from the Assets Recovery Agency to the Serious Organised Crime Agency were not collated to this level of detail, as there would be no operational value and some cost in doing so. This information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost (through manual collation from case files). SOCA has terminated one case without recovering assets, where civil recovery proceedings had been initiated as at 31 March 2008. The reason for terminating the case was that there were no assets left to recover. As regards the value of civil recovery orders and tax settlements, figures for SOCA's UK-wide performance on asset recovery for the financial year 2008-09 are subject to internal validation and will be included in its Annual Report for 2008-09, when published.
Terrorism: Internet
Mr. Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps the Government takes to prevent gambling internet sites being used by terrorist organisations to raise funds. [247160]
Mr. Coaker [holding answer 14 January 2009]: The Government are determined to do all they can to prevent funds from reaching terrorists. Operators located in Great Britain who wish to offer gambling through internet websites must apply for a Remote Operating Licence from the Gambling Commission. The Gambling Commission undertakes a strict examination of an operator's suitability before determining their application.
Furthermore, operators licensed by the Gambling Commission who offer casino games through websites form part of the regulated sector covered by the Money Laundering Regulations 2007. These regulations implement the terms of the Third EU Directive on Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing, and include a duty to verify the identity of customers. A breach could constitute a criminal offence.
The Gambling Commission is the supervisory authority for casinos and operators must act in accordance with the Gambling Commission's guidance on anti-money laundering, The Prevention of Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism—Guidance for remote and non-remote casinos'. This guidance is available at:
http://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/Client/media detail.asp?mediaid=326
and a copy will be placed in the House Library. The operators of all gambling websites should ensure their staff are made aware of their duties under the Terrorism Act 2000 for the reporting of suspicious activity relating to terrorist finance offences.
UK Border Agency: Correspondence
Mr. Winnick: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she expects the UK Border Agency to reply to the letter of 9 December 2008 from the hon. Member for Walsall North, reference P1120638 and CTS of M 20970/8. [248178]
Mr. Woolas: The regional director for the north-west, Gill Mortlock, wrote to my hon. Friend on 13 January 2009.
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