How effective is the Bribery Act? Lords committee to hold first evidence session
The House of Lords Bribery Act 2010 Committee is holding its first evidence session on Tuesday 3 July. The session will begin the inquiry, which examines the Bribery Act 2010, seven years after it came into force. The session will seek the views of Government officials on the effectiveness of the Act and related issues.
Giving evidence to the Committee at 10.30am will be:
- Nicola Hewer – Director of Family and Criminal Justice Policy, Ministry of Justice
- Matthew Gould – Deputy Director for Criminal Court and Criminal Law Policy, Ministry of Justice
- Michelle Crotty – Director/Deputy Head of Office, Attorney General's Office
Questions are likely to include:
- Why has the number of criminal proceedings under the Bribery Act 2010 been so low, and what does this signify?
- Why have there been no prosecutions for the bribing of foreign officials?
- Some countries make specific allowances for so-called ‘facilitation payments' – should this be considered in the UK, or would this be a regressive step?
- Have there been any unintended consequences resulting from the Act?
- What does the Government plan to do to improve awareness of the Act and guidance among small and medium-sized enterprises?
The evidence session will start at 10.30am in Committee Room 4.
