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Post OfficePolice Complaints Authority
General Medical Council and other similar professional organisations
Official Receiver
Traffic Commissioners
Criminal Injury Compensation Board
Crown Agents
Crown Estate Commissioners
National Museums and Galleries
Royal Mint
United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority
Securities and Investments Board
The purposes of criminal record checks by the police, Government Departments or approved bodies are not recorded centrally and the number and cost of those for security vetting cannot be identified. The number of checks undertaken by the Government searches section of the National Identification Bureau for vetting and other purposes was as follows :
|Number
------------------------
1986 |384,595
1987 |348,901
1988 |385,308
These figures represent the number of transactions undertaken and not the number of individuals on whom checks were made. The same individual may have been checked more than once.
The estimated cost of the Government searches section in 1989 was about £500,000.
Police Computer
Mr. Andrew F. Bennett : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which Government Departments (a) presently have access to the police national computer and (b) will have access to the new police computer.
Mr. Peter Lloyd : In addition to the Home Office, HM Customs and Excise investigation division and the Drivers and Vehicles Licensing Agency have terminals giving them direct access to some of the information on the police national computer.
Consideration is being given to a proposal to allow a number of other Government Departments to have direct access to the criminal names index on the new police national computer. This would enable Departments to undertake their own preliminary inquiries, thus reducing the work load of the National Identification Bureau. In cases where this preliminary inquiry indicates that the subject might have a criminal record, the Department would ask the NIB to undertake a detailed check of the records.
Mr. Andrew F. Bennett : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether a date has been set for the new police computer (PNC2) to become fully operational ; what is its potential full capacity ; and approximately how many individual records are likely to be held on the PNC2 at the date when it becomes fully operational.
Mr. Peter Lloyd : A firm date has not yet been set for the "cut over" from the present PNC system to PNC2. It will be set only after all the components of the new system have been delivered and fully tested.
As the hon. Member was told in reply to his question on 24 July at column 132, the PNC2 system will be capable
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of handling 62 million instructions per second, its main memory will be capable of storing 190 million bytes of data and it will have sufficient disk capacity to store 80,000 million bytes of data. PNC2 is expected to hold records on about 45 million vehicles, 6 million persons and 4 million fingerprints.Criminal Records
Mr. Andrew F. Bennett : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether there are plans to establish an agency independent of the police to maintain the national collection of criminal records ;
(2) whether a decision has been taken on transferring those criminal records presently held on microfiche to the new police computer.
Mr. Peter Lloyd : As stated in the Governments' response to the Home Affairs Select Committee's report on criminal records (Cm. 1163), a study is to be undertaken to examine the most appropriate arrangements for the maintenance of, and disclosure from, the national collection of criminal records. In the light of the findings of this study, the Government will consider where responsibility for this work should lie.
The response also makes clear the Government's intention to computerise the national collection of criminal records, which is currently held on microfiche, as and when resources permit.
Mr. Andrew F. Bennett : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether there are plans to update and amend Home Offices circular No. 45/1986 or to lay down statutory principles to govern the disclosure of criminal records as recommended by the Home Affairs Committee's report on criminal records.
Mr. Peter Lloyd : I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 24 July 1990 at column 132.
As stated in the Government's response to the Home Affairs Select Committee's report on criminal records (Cm. 1163), a study is to be undertaken to examine, among other things, the most appropriate arrangements for disclosure from the national collection of criminal records.
Guinness Trial
Mr. Austin Mitchell : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether those convicted in the Guinness trial will be allowed to carry on their private business directly or indirectly during their imprisonment.
Mrs. Rumbold : Restrictions on business activities that apply to all prisoners have been published in prison standing order 1C, a copy of which is in the Library. Convicted prisoners are not allowed to conduct any business activity from prison, other than to wind up a business or to make arrangements for it to be managed in their absence.
Mr. Andrew F. Bennett : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether there are plans to include the new police computer into the Government data network.
Mr. Peter Lloyd : There are no such plans.
Mr. Andrew F. Bennett : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the kind of information presently held on the police national computer under the data class of warning signals.
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Mr. Peter Lloyd : Warning signals are intended to alert officers to potential difficulties or risks in dealing with the individual. They may be used only in cases where there is supporting evidence of the need for them to be included in the record. Their inclusion and removal is at the discretion of the force which enters the record on the police national computer.The information held under the data class of warning signals is intended to indicate individuals who may possess firearms, may possess weapons, may resort to violent behaviour, may attempt to escape, may suffer from mental disorder, may possess explosives, may make false allegations against the police, may be a hazard to others as a carrier of contagious diseases (e.g., hepatitis), may suffer from a medical condition and/or require medication, e.g., heart condition, claustrophobia, epilepsy, alcoholism, may attempt suicide, may be in unlawful possession of controlled drugs, may impersonate male or female.
Overseas Voters
Sir David Steel : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what steps he has taken to monitor the use by political parties of the provision for registration of overseas voters for proxy vote of the Representation of the People Act 1989 ; (2) what guidance has been issued to groups seeking to register overseas voters as to how under the Representation of the People Act 1989 it is permissible to choose proxy voters for any particular constituency.
Mrs. Rumbold : There is no reason for the Home Office to monitor the activities of the political parties in encouraging eligible expatriates to register as overseas electors, or in assisting them to appoint proxies to vote on their behalf. A proxy appointed to vote on behalf of an overseas elector can do so only in the constituency for which the elector is registered. Political parties are, we believe, well aware of the legal requirements for appointing a proxy, and we see no need to issue special guidance on the subject.
Visas
Dr. Marek : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what changes there have been in entry requirements for citizens of east European countries ; and what information he has that relates to changes between those countries of the European Community.
Mr. Peter Lloyd : During the summer, my right hon. and learned Friend introduced an immigration rules change removing the former German Democratic Republic from the list of countries whose nationals require a visa for admission to the United Kingdom. Following a further change last month, Czechoslovakia and Hungary were removed from the visa list with effect from 1 October. Most of our European Community partners have taken similar steps in relation to these countries.
Drugs
Mr. Lawrence : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what proportion of those convicted of drug offences offend again within three years of (a) release from imprisonment or (b) the pronouncement of a non-custodial sentence ;
(2) what are the comparative success ratios, measured by reoffending rates, of the various types of sentence passed upon those convicted of drug- related offences.
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Mrs. Rumbold : The only readily available information is about drugs offenders discharged from custody in 1984 who were reconvicted within two years. This was published in table 8(c) of prison statistics for England and Wales 1987 (Cm 547) a copy of which is in the Library.
Philippine Citizens (Employment)
Mr. Spearing : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department under what conditions Philippine citizens are admitted into the United Kingdom for employment by (a) public bodies, (b) registered businesses, (c) United Kingdom citizens and (d) non-United Kingdom citizens ; and what steps he takes to ensure equitable conditions and contracts of employment and registration of any change of employer.
Mr. Peter Lloyd : Overseas nationals seeking admission to the United Kingdom must qualify under the relevant provisions of the immigration rules (currently HC 251 as amended). As non-EC nationals, Philippine citizens wishing to work here generally require work permits. However, as I explained in a reply to a question from the hon. Member for Sunderland, South (Mr. Mullin) on 22February 1990 at columns 917-8, there are exceptional arrangements outside the immigration rules and the work permit scheme under which a domestic servant who has worked abroad for an employer who comes to the United Kingdom can be admitted to continue working for him here. We have recently reviewed these arrangements in view of the concern about the possible exploitation of domestics and the outcome of that review was announced in another place by my noble Friend Lord Ferrers in reply to a question from Lord Hylton on 24 July 1990 at columns 1449-50. Whatever the provisions under which overseas nationals are admitted for work, they are entitled to the normal protection of our law. Their ability to change employers will, however, depend on the conditions on which they have been granted leave to enter or stay in the United Kingdom.
Operation Carnaby
Mr. Nellist : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for an interim report from the Metropolitan Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis on the investigation operation Carnaby, outlining its terms of reference, manpower utilisation, and budget ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Peter Lloyd : Operation Carnaby is a criminal investigation by the Metropolitan police. I have no plans to ask the Commissioner for a report on that investigation.
Research Contracts
Mr. Andrew Smith : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the research contracts awarded by his Department to academic institutions, and their cost, since 1985.
Mr. Waddington [holding answer 10 July 1990] : Information on the cost and nature of each research contract awarded by my Department to academic and research institutions since 1985 is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Total estimated Home Office expenditure on assignments
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awarded to academic institutions for the period January 1985 to April 1990 is £6,725,271, and is represented as follows :
|£
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Oxford Centre for Criminological Research/Oxford
University |799,309
New Mexico Engineering Research Institute |605,195
University of East Anglia |572,500
Institute of Criminology/Cambridge University |564,250
University of London |510,788
Policy Studies Institute |299,000
University of Birmingham |294,330
NACRO |252,000
VERA Institute of Justice |250,532
University of Manchester |210,839
University of Surrey |165,981
University of Bath |165,400
Tavistock Institute |164,000
London School of Economics |141,662
University of Swansea |140,685
University of Essex |138,000
University of Leeds |128,123
University of Bristol |118,650
University of Liverpool |118,000
University of Kent |113,427
University of Edinburgh |105,953
University of Aberdeen |95,087
University of Loughborough |87,779
University of Sheffield |84,000
University of Nottingham |82,235
University of Sussex |75,000
Hatfield Polytechnic |69,522
Bradford/Ilkley College |59,000
University of Dundee |56,000
City University |55,078
Policy Foundation |45,500
University of Hull |40,990
Trent Polytechnic |40,700
University of Warwick |40,574
Economics and Social Research Council |40,000
South Bank Polytechnic |37,146
Local Govenment Operation Research Unit |34,500
University of North London |30,000
University of Reading |28,158
National Institute for Social Work |27,500
North London Polytechnic |25,200
University of Lancaster |18,000
Thames Polytechnic |18,000
University of Cardiff |8,000
University of Brunel |7,950
Coventry Polytechnic |7,000
University of Southampton |4,260
SOCIAL SECURITY
Maintenance
4. Mr. Nicholas Bennett : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations he has received on his proposals to ensure that fathers pay maintenance.
25. Mr. Stevens : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations he has received on his proposals to ensure that fathers pay maintenance.
45. Mr. Burns : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations he has received on his proposals to ensure that fathers pay maintenance.
Mr. Newton : I have received correspondence on this subject from one of the major lone parent organisations, members of the public and other interested parties. We will be publishing full details of our proposals in a White Paper shortly.
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Personal Pensions
11. Mr. Mills : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the latest estimate of the numbers who have taken out personal pensions.
27. Mr. Sumberg : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the latest estimate of the numbers who will have taken out personal pensions.
44. Mr. Allan Stewart : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the latest estimate of the numbers who have taken out personal pensions.
Mrs. Gillian Shephard : I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Calder Valley (Mr. Thompson) earlier today.
Family Credit
21. Mr. Patrick Thompson : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many families are now in receipt of family credit.
30. Mr. Summerson : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many families are now in receipt of family credit.
Mr. Bowis : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many families are now in receipt of family credit.
Mrs. Gillian Shephard : I refer my hon. Friends to my reply to the hon. Member for Wanstead and Woodford (Mr. Arbuthnot) earlier today.
Computerisation
22. Mr. Pike : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations he has received regarding computerisation of the social security system.
Mrs. Gillian Shephard : Various inquiries have been received, both from members of the public and a number of outside organisations regarding the effectiveness of the Department's strategy systems, for which I have been able to provide comprehensive replies.
Disabled People
23. Mr. Brazier : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement about spending on disabled people since 1979.
33. Sir Bernard Braine : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement about spending on disabled people since 1979.
Mr. Moate : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what has been the increase in spending by the Government in support of disabled people since 1979 ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Scott : I refer my hon. Friends to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Eastleigh (Sir David Price) earlier today.
24. Mr. Conway : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the latest estimate of the numbers of people who will benefit from the measures outlined in "The Way Ahead".
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29. Mr. Andy Stewart : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the latest estimate of the numbers of people who will benefit from the measures outlined in "The Way Ahead".32. Mr. Sims : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the latest estimate of the numbers of people who will benefit from the measures outlined in "The Way Ahead".
Mr. Scott : I refer my hon. Friends to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Cambridgeshire, South-East (Mr. Paice) earlier today.
34. Mr. Wigley : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what consultations he has had with disability organisations on his proposals outlined in "The Way Ahead-Benefits for Disabled People".
Mr. Scott : We regularly meet the disability organisations to discuss a wide range of issues. I met the Disability Benefits Consortium-- an umbrella group representing over 250 disability organisations--on 5 April in the second of a series of meetings to discuss their views on "The Way Ahead". On 1 August we issued a consultation document, "Disability Allowance : Assessment and Adjudication" building on the proposals set out in "The Way Ahead" and inviting comments. Copies of the paper have been sent to over 125 disability organisations and a number of these have sent constructive and interesting replies. A copy of the paper has been placed in the Library.
Income Support
Mr. Nellist : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many deductions are now taking place from people on income support to cover debts arising from the poll tax ; and if he will make a statement.
Mrs. Gillian Shephard : Just over 9,000 deductions for community charge arrears were being made at 31 August 1990.
Mr. Meacher : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the level of supplementary benefit and income support scale rates for (a) a single person householder aged over 25 years and (b) married couples, each year since 1970 ; and what these amounts were as a percentage of national average earnings for each of these years.
Mrs. Gillian Shephard : The information requested is available in tables 6.4b and 6.5b of the Abstract of Statistics for index of retail prices, Average Earnings, Social Security Benefits and Contributions published August 1989. A copy of this is in the Library.
Ms. Harman : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish a table showing the numbers of (i) men and (ii) women pensioners on income support by duration of time on benefit.
Ms. Harman : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what number and proportion of pensioners were receiving (i) income support only, (ii) retirement pensions only and (iii) income support and retirement pension, broken down by sex in each case.
Mrs. Gillian Shephard : Information to show whether pensioners in receipt of Income Support also receive the
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state retirement pension is not available. The remainder of the information requested is available in tables 12.2A, 12.2B and 12.2C of the Income Support Statistics Annual Enquiry. This was published in July 1990 and a copy is in the Library.Ms. Harman : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what number and proportion of unemployed people were receiving (i) income support only, (ii) unemployment benefit only and (iii) income support and unemployment benefit, broken down by sex in each case.
Mrs. Gillian Shephard : The information as at May 1990 is contained in part (1) of table 1.1 of "Unemployment Benefit
Statistics--Quarterly Analysis of Unemployed Claimants", a copy of which is in the Library.
Community Care
28. Mr. Battle : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether he will direct social fund officers to consider applications for community care grants from persons leaving institutional care and entitled to invalidity benefit, whose weekly income is not more than £10 above income support level.
37. Ms. Primarolo : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether he will direct social fund officers to consider applications for community care grants from persons leaving institutional care and entitled to invalidity benefit, whose weekly income is not more than £10 above income support level.
41. Mr. Wray : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether he will direct social fund officers to consider applications for community care grants from persons leaving institutional care and entitled to invalidity benefit, whose weekly income is not more than £10 above income support level.
Mr. Scott : My hon. Friend the Member for Ealing Acton (Sir George Young) asked me if I would look at extending eligibility for community care grants on 2 July 1990, and I am doing so.
339. Mr. Harry Barnes : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proportion of applications for community care grants were refused in 1988-89, 1989-90 and the first half of 1990-91.
Mr. Scott : I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Halifax (Mrs. Mahon) earlier today.
Pensioners' Incomes
31. Dr. Twinn : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate of the latest trend in pensioners' real incomes since 1979.
Mrs. Gillian Shephard : I refer my hon. Friend to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Harrow, West (Mr. Hughes) earlier today.
Social Security Applications
35. Mr. Tony Banks : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what information he has regarding the percentage of errors made by his Department in calculating social security applications.
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Mrs. Gillian Shephard : The Department has a well established management information system which includes a range of output measures and performance indicators covering the adminsitration of all the major benefits. One performance indicator provides a measure of how accurately claims are handled, based on the percentage of payments which are incorrect. The figures are published in table 14.31 in the Government's Expenditure Plans 1990-91 to 1992-93 (Cm 1014) a copy of which is in the Library.Contributions (Earnings Limit)
36. Sir Fergus Montgomery : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations he has received about the upper earnings limit for social security contributions.
38. Mr. Evennett : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations he has received about the upper earnings limit for social security contributions.
43. Mr. Oppenheim : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations he has received about the upper earnings limit for social security contributions.
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