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Bribery

Volume 716: debated on Tuesday 19 January 2010

Statement

My right honourable friend the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice (Jack Straw) has today made the following Written Ministerial Statement.

I have today laid before the House the UK Foreign Bribery Strategy, CM 7791. Copies are available in the Vote Office and the Printed Paper Office, and on line at www.justice.gov.uk/publications/foreign-bribery-strategy.htm (This follows my Written Ministerial Statement of 15 October 2008 (Official Report, col. 44WS).

The overarching aim of the strategy is to reduce the involvement of UK nationals and companies in foreign bribery and the harm it causes. Our work is grouped under four strategic objectives: strengthening the law, supporting ethical business, enforcing the law, and international co-operation and capacity building. Throughout, the strategy draws on the wide range of responsibilities across departments, devolved Administrations, law enforcement, prosecution authorities and regulatory agencies which contribute to the overarching aim.

This strategy will be implemented and monitored through a Foreign Bribery Strategy Board, made up of officials from across Whitehall departments, devolved Administrations, law enforcement, prosecution authorities and regulatory agencies. We will measure success through the delivery of specific pieces of work and the UK’s performance in international anti-corruption surveys and corporate studies. The work will be informed by continuing dialogue with domestic stakeholders and international partners, and by analysis of trends from overseas corruption assessments and research. We will review the strategy in 2012 in the light of our next OECD evaluation, and provide annual progress updates to Parliament.