asked Her Majesty’s Government:

When they will publish the United Kingdom’s revised third country equivalence list in relation to anti-money-laundering and counter terrorist financing systems; [HL4442]

What the criteria will be for inclusion in the United Kingdom’s revised third country equivalence list in relation to anti-money-laundering and counter terrorist financing systems; [HL4443]

Whether they plan to publish a consultation paper on the criteria for inclusion in the United Kingdom’s third country equivalence list in relation to anti-money-laundering and counter terrorist financing systems; [HL4444]

What the criteria are for inclusion in the European Union list of non-European Union countries whose anti-money-laundering and counter terrorist financing systems are to be treated as equivalent to those of European Union members; and [HL4445]

Whether discussions have taken place between HM Treasury and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in relation to anti-money-laundering and counter terrorist financing systems to be regarded as equivalent to those of European Union members. [HL4446]

Member states participating in the EU Committee for the Prevention of Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing agreed a list of equivalent third countries—that is, countries with anti-money laundering (AML) and counter terrorist financing (CTF) systems considered equivalent to those of the European Union—in April 2008. HM Treasury published this list on its website on 12 May 2008.

The criteria for inclusion on the list are based primarily on performance against the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) 40 + 9 recommendations for anti-money laundering and counterterrorist financing. A range of information was taken into account, including assessments made through the mutual evaluation process conducted by the Financial Action Task Force, the IMF and the World Bank.

The EU list of equivalent third countries represents the common understanding of member states and will be subject to periodic review. Individual member states may, at their discretion, supplement the EU list at a domestic level. HM Treasury is currently considering whether such a supplement is desirable.

There are no current plans to issue a consultation paper on this matter. HM Treasury officials are in discussions with officials from other government departments, including the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, business representatives and a number of interested jurisdictions.