PART 2Anti-money laundering

50Reports on progress towards register of beneficial owners of overseas entities

1

The Secretary of State must, after the end of each reporting period, publish a report explaining the progress that has been made during that period towards putting in place a register of beneficial owners of overseas entities.

2

For the purposes of this section, the following are reporting periods—

a

the period of 12 months beginning with the day on which this Act is passed;

b

the period of 12 months beginning with the day after the end of the period mentioned in paragraph (a);

c

the period of 12 months beginning with the day after the end of the period mentioned in paragraph (b).

3

The first and second reports under this section must include—

a

a statement setting out the steps that are to be taken in the next reporting period towards putting the register in place, and

b

an assessment of when the register will be put in place.

4

The third report under this section must include a statement setting out what further steps, if any, are to be taken towards putting the register in place.

5

Where a report is published under this section the Secretary of State must lay a copy of it before Parliament.

6

For the purposes of this section “a register of beneficial owners of overseas entities” means a public register—

a

which contains information about overseas entities and persons with significant control over them, and

b

which in the opinion of the Secretary of State will assist in the prevention of money laundering.