To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the regulations which govern the harbouring of assets such as those acquired by the members of the ruling elite of Kazakhstan; and if he will make a statement. (131384)

I have been asked to reply.

According to the Kazakh constitution, the president is not permitted to hold any other paid positions nor to carry out entrepreneurial activities. The Kazakh Law "On Fighting Corruption" also requires each state executive to submit annual declarations of income received and property owned within and outside the Republic of Kazakhstan. Other members of the presidential family are entitled to perform entrepreneurial activities and own assets. However, the Law on Parliament stipulates that no deputy of Parliament may be employed in any other paid position and conduct entrepreneurial activity. We look to the Kazakh Government to apply these regulations effectively, but are not privy to the sort of information that would enable us to make an informed assessment.