How effective is the Bribery Act? Lords to question Ministers

The Committee's inquiry is tasked with examining: the effectiveness of the Bribery Act 2010; whether there has been stricter prosecution of corrupt conduct, a higher conviction rate, and a reduction of such conduct; the impact of the Act on SMEs; and the use of Deferred Prosecution Agreements in relation to bribery offences.

Giving evidence to the Committee at 10.30am will be:

• Edward Argar MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Ministry of Justice
• Ben Wallace MP, Minister of State for Security and Economic Crime, Home Office
• Kelly Tolhurst MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Minister for Small Businesses, Consumers and Corporate Responsibility, Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
• Baroness Fairhead CBE, Minister of State for Trade and Export Promotion, Department for International Trade

They will be asked questions including:  

• Why is a high level of authorisation always required for prosecutions for offences under the Bribery Act?
• Why are there so few petty bribery prosecutions, despite the prevalence of pretty bribery in industries such as shipping and construction?
• What can the Department for International Trade do to improve the advice given to exporters abroad on local business culture and ethics, and on facilitation payments?
• The City of London Police have provided evidence suggesting the lack of a lead force has led to an “intelligence gap” regarding occurrences of bribery. Why does a lead force not exist, as is the case for fraud?
• How is the Government planning on mitigating the impact of the loss of the European Arrest Warrant and the European Investigation Order?

The evidence session will start at 10.30am in Committee Room 2 on Tuesday 4 December 2018.