Clause 2 - Director's functions: general
Proceeds of Crime Bill
11:45 am
Mr Alistair Carmichael (Orkney and Shetland, Liberal Democrat)
I associate myself with the earlier remarks of the hon. Member for Glasgow, Pollok about parallel provision in Scotland and the rest of the United Kingdom, and in particular about the functions that might be carried out by the Lord Advocate north of the border.
Parts 2 and 3 largely replicate each other, although part 3 wears a kilt, and makes appropriate provision for Scotland. However, no direction is given to the Lord Advocate such as is given to the director of the Assets Recovery Agency in part 1. Such direction seems to be missing.
The Crown Office in Scotland publishes an annual report that includes performance indicators and targets. However, an important point is involved. Historically, the office of the Lord Advocate has never been keen on disclosing an ounce of information more than it absolutely has to. If such provision is to be made, will the Minister speak to his opposite number in the Scottish Executive in order to establish whether, when the time comes to consider amendments to part 3, further measures might be introduced to improve the position north of the border?