Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Harriett Baldwin and Stephen McPartland

Tuesday 25th June 2019 Commons Chamber

[Stephen McPartland (Stevenage) (Con)]

12. What diplomatic steps he is taking to help tackle international economic crime.

[The Minister for Africa (Harriett Baldwin)]

We are working with a range of countries to demonstrate UK global leadership by increasing our capabilities in the overseas network, including establishing joint serious organised crime teams in over 80 countries.

[Stephen McPartland]

The line between rogue nation states and terrorist organisations sponsoring organised criminal activity is increasingly blurred. They are attacking our national institutions and millions of residents in this country. Does the Minister believe that diplomacy is working?

[Harriett Baldwin]

My hon. Friend rightly draws attention to the importance, given that we are one of the world’s leading financial centres, of our being as rigorous as possible and taking a zero-tolerance approach. I am sure the House will welcome the fact that last December the Financial Action Task Force review took a close look at our system and concluded that the UK had the strongest anti-money laundering regime of the countries assessed to date, but clearly we cannot be complacent; there is much more to do.