Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, through what means the UK can take part in the sharing of advice and best practice between EU member states on fighting organised crime other than being bound by Joint Action 97/827/JHA.

A full impact assessment has been conducted on Joint Action 97/827/JHA. Details of this assessment can be found in Command Paper 8897

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/326698/41670_Cm_8897_Accessible.pdf , published on 3 July 2014.

There are no alternative methods open to the UK to share advice and best practice collectively between all EU Member States on matters covered by this Joint Action that are considered to be as effective as cooperation under the measure. This measure increases UK influence both in terms of practical cooperation in the fight against organised crime and EU action in this field. The UK could continue to share advice and best practice with other EU Member States on a bilateral basis if it was not bound by this Joint Action, but this would not be as effective.