Lord Sheikh asked Her Majesty’s Government:
- What representations they are making to petrol companies in the light of allegations in recent press reports that some of their staff in the United Kingdom have been committing credit and debit card fraud in order to fund terrorism. [HL3441]
The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness Scotland of Asthal): The police are investigating all aspects of the allegations to which the noble Lord refers, and we would not wish to prejudge the outcome of those investigations by commenting at this stage.
Lord Sheikh asked Her Majesty’s Government:
- What steps they are taking against sympathisers for the Tamil Tigers terrorist cause active in the United Kingdom. [HL3442]
Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), also known as the Tamil Tigers, was proscribed by the then Home Secretary in 2001. There are a range of offences relating to this proscription, including to have or profess membership of the organisation, to raise funds for the organisation, to invite support for it, to organise or speak at a meeting whose purpose is to encourage support for it, and to wear or display clothing or articles likely to arouse suspicions that the wearer is a member or supporter of the organisation.
The police and Crown Prosecution Service are responsible for, respectively, investigating and prosecuting offences under this legislation.
Lord Sheikh asked Her Majesty’s Government:
- What steps they are taking to prevent the funding from United Kingdom sources of Tamil Tigers terrorist activity in Sri Lanka. [HL3443]
Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), also known as the Tamil Tigers, was proscribed as an organisation concerned in terrorism by the then Home Secretary in 2001. The Terrorism Act 2000 contains a number of offences relating to the funding of terrorism (which includes funding for proscribed organisations). The investigation and prosecution of these offences is a matter for the police and the Crown Prosecution Service.