Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Sanctions: Assets Seizure

Tuesday 22 March 2022 · 7 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministry of Justice is working with Government colleagues to consider further measures for seizing assets of sanctioned Russian oligarchs.
  • UK has designated over 1,000 individuals, entities, and subsidiaries under the Russia sanctions regime since the invasion.
  • Government is taking steps to address potential loopholes in legislation related to sanctions and property measures.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Deidre Brock SNP
Taxation Foreign Affairs
Context

Discussions on seizing the assets of sanctioned Russian oligarchs are ongoing.

Question

What recent discussions has the Minister had with Cabinet colleagues on seizing the assets of sanctioned Russian oligarchs?

Answer from James Cartlidge

I am pleased to report that the Ministry of Justice is working closely with colleagues across Government to look at how we can go further to crack down on illicit money in British property, including considering temporary asset seizures beyond the freezing regime that we already have in place. I am not yet in a position to present the details of this to the House.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific details or timeline for seizing assets beyond freezing regimes.

How: Not Yet In A Position

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Q2 Gavin Newlands SNP
Democracy & Elections Foreign Affairs
Context

Concerns were raised about Russian interference in UK politics, with slow approaches to sanctioning oligarchs.

Question

When concerns about Russian interference in UK politics were raised by the Intelligence and Security Committee a couple of years ago, the Prime Minister laughed them off. What confidence should we have that the Government is taking the threat seriously?

Answer from James Cartlidge

Everybody can be incredibly confident that the UK has acted swiftly to execute the biggest package of sanctions ever imposed against a G20 nation. Let us be clear that the UK has designated more than 1,000 individuals, entities and subsidiaries under the Russia sanctions regime since the invasion.

Answered
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Q3 Chris Stephens SNP
Brexit Foreign Affairs
Context

Legislation was rushed, and reports suggest further measures may be needed.

Question

Given the rushed nature of legislation as the Government plays catch-up with EU states, what discussions have taken place around closing remaining loopholes exploited by oligarchs?

Answer from James Cartlidge

The hon. Gentleman is right that we need to legislate effectively and that is why we will take time to get the detail right on property while prioritising further action as far as we can. To be clear, in the past week the Government have passed the Economic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) Act 2022, established a register of beneficial ownership, and sanctioned more than 1,000 individuals and entities.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not confirm further legislation will be expected in coming year.

How: Need To Legislate Effectively

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Q4 Deidre Brock SNP
Foreign Affairs
Context

A new kleptocracy unit was set up, despite the existence of similar units.

Question

Why was it necessary to set up a third kleptocracy unit when there are already international corruption and anti-corruption coordination centers?

Answer from James Cartlidge

I do not think that anybody should doubt that we have the measures in place. Our sanctions regime is bold and we have taken swift, comprehensive measures.

Not addressed: Did not address differences between new unit and existing ones or investigative efforts.

How: Doubt

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Q5 Andrew Bridgen Con
Economy Foreign Affairs
Context

Sanctions causing hardship to Russian people are in place.

Question

Does the Minister agree that international sanctions causing such hardship to the Russian people are totally the responsibility of one man, and his name is Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin?

Answer from James Cartlidge

My hon. Friend puts it perfectly. Of course, the sanctions will have and are having an economic impact. We have no quarrel with the Russian people. The blame for that impact lies squarely at the door of the Kremlin, and I think the whole world knows that.

Answered
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Q6 Steve Reed Labour (Co-op) Streatham and Croydon North
Ukraine Foreign Affairs
Context

Some UK law firms are accused of promoting nefarious interests of the Russian state.

Question

Will the Minister tell the House what has been done to stop UK law firms such as Debevoise & Plimpton, Cleary Gottleib Steen & Hamilton and Steptoe & Johnson acting as enablers of Russian criminals and the Kremlin?

Answer from James Cartlidge

As I set out very recently in my written answer to the hon. Gentleman, the rule of law means that everyone has a right to access legal representation. Legal advice is often necessary to ensure that those who are subject to sanctions fully understand and comply with the restrictions.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not detail specific actions against law firms.

How: Rule Of Law

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Q7 Steve Reed Labour (Co-op) Streatham and Croydon North
Ukraine Foreign Affairs
Context

Urgency to go further than outlined in addressing law firm actions.

Question

Given what is happening in Ukraine, there is an urgency about going further than the Minister outlined. Will he consider imposing sanctions on law firms that continue to act for the Kremlin and Putin's cronies?

Answer from James Cartlidge

It was only on 20 January that the Backbench Business Committee brought before this House a debate on SLAPPs lawfare. I responded to that debate, and at the end I said the Government would be responding. Less than two months later, the Deputy Prime Minister came before the House with detailed proposals.

Not addressed: Did not address sanctions on law firms enabling Russian sanctions breaches.

How: Debate

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