Investor Visas: Money Laundering Debate

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Department: Home Office

Investor Visas: Money Laundering

Lord Paddick Excerpts
Monday 9th May 2016

(8 years ago)

Lords Chamber
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Lord Keen of Elie Portrait Lord Keen of Elie
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The question, in my respectful submission, is not well aimed, and there is no question of persons being able to buy their way into the United Kingdom. There is a means by which they can invest in the United Kingdom, but they are subject to very clear checks, which have been improved since 2014.

Lord Paddick Portrait Lord Paddick (LD)
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My Lords, I am greatly encouraged by what the Minister has said about investigations going on into pre-2015 cases. Can he tell the House how many tier 1 visas have been revoked as a result of those investigations?

Lord Keen of Elie Portrait Lord Keen of Elie
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At the present time, I am not aware that any tier 1 visas have been revoked. Of course, tier 1 visas lead on to an application for indefinite leave to remain. When that application is made, one issue that is addressed is any suggestion of criminality.