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Mr. John Patten : In England and Wales in 1989 the peak age of offending for males was 16 to 18 years and for females 15 years, respectively. The other information requested, excluding data on race and ethnic background which is not collected centrally, is published in the Command Paper "Criminal statistics England and Wales 1989", tables 5.2, 5.12, 7.4 and 7.6 to 7.13, a copy of which is in the Library. Data for 1990 are not yet available.
Ms. Richardson : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the latest available figures and percentages for the total numbers of people receiving custodial sentences broken down by (a) type of sentence, (b) gender and (c) ethnic background.
Mrs. Rumbold : The information requested is not recorded centrally. The readily available information is given in the table.
Column 95
Receptions into Prison Service establishments in England and Wales under immediate custodial sentence: by sex, type of sentence and ethnic
origin, 1989
Number of persons
Ethnic origin
Type of sentence |White |West Indian |Indian |Chinese |Other, |All persons
|Guyanese |Pakistani |Arab |not recorded
|African |Bangladeshi |Mixed origin |(including
|refusals)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All males |49,403 |4,330 |1,162 |945 |972 |56,812
Imprisonment |34,385 |3,248 |784 |593 |601 |39,611
Detention in a young offender institution 14,1,056 370 345 367 17,013
Section 53 C & YP Act 1933 |122 |22 |8 |6 |4 |162
Custody for life |21 |4 |- |1 |- |26
All females |2,077 |374 |21 |63 |115 |2,650
Imprisonment |1,652 |334 |19 |53 |102 |2,160
Detention in a young offender institution 42137 2 10 13 483
Section 53 C & YP Act 1933 |4 |3 |- |- |- |7
Custody for life |- |- |- |- |- |-
Ms. Richardson : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will provide statistics on the total number of prisoners between the years 1978 to 1990 broken down by (a) gender, (b) ethnic background and (c) type of offence ; and of these how many had (i) no previous convictions, (ii) one conviction and (iii) two or more convictions.
Mrs. Rumbold : An extensive analysis of the ethnic origins of prisoners was published in "The ethnic origins of prisoners : the prison population on 30 June 1985 and persons received July 1984 March 1985". This included analyses by previous convictions and type of offence, table
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13. A copy of the statistical bulletin 17/86 is available in the Library. Information on the sentenced population on 30 June analysed by previous convictions, sex and type of offence has been published annually from 1982 onwards in "Prison statistics England and Wales"--tables 3.5, 4.2 and 5.2 of the latest volume, for 1989, Cm. 122-- and by ethnic origin and type of offence since 1985--table 1.12--copies of which are in the Library. Information for 1985 and 1990 on previous convictions and ethnic origin is given in the table.Further information could be provided only at disproportionate cost and the information by ethnic origin is not available for years before 1985.
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Sentenced population<1> in Prison Service establishments in England and Wales on 30 June: by ethnic origin and previous convictions,
1985 and 1990
Number of persons
Ethnic origin
Number of previous |White |West Indian |Indian |Chinese |Other, not |All persons
convictions |Guyanese |Pakistani |Arab |recorded
|African |Bangladeshi |Mixed origin |(including
|refusals)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Males
All males
1985 |30,322 |2,657 |821 |763 |1,084 |35,647
1990<2> |27,829 |3,505 |980 |614 |598 |33,526
Not recorded
1985 |4,607 |603 |225 |145 |222 |5,802
1990<2> |8,885 |1,402 |408 |230 |354 |11,279
All previous convictions
1985 |25,715 |2,054 |596 |618 |862 |29,845
1990<2> |18,944 |2,103 |572 |384 |244 |22,247
No previous convictions
1985 |1,050 |146 |192 |72 |63 |1,523
1990<2> |1,625 |445 |209 |63 |67 |2,409
One previous conviction
1985 |1,387 |167 |96 |52 |46 |1,748
1990<2> |1,081 |126 |77 |26 |18 |1,328
Two previous convictions
1985 |1,630 |168 |81 |42 |53 |1,974
1990<2> |1,071 |125 |64 |35 |13 |1,308
Three and over
1985 |21,648 |1,573 |227 |452 |700 |24,600
1990<2> |15,167 |1,407 |222 |260 |146 |17,202
Females
All females
1985 |915 |132 |18 |26 |43 |1,134
1990<2> |812 |294 |24 |33 |65 |1,228
Not recorded
1985 |336 |55 |9 |8 |17 |425
1990<2> |336 |142 |16 |13 |39 |546
All previous convictions
1985 |579 |77 |9 |18 |26 |709
1990<2> |476 |152 |8 |20 |26 |682
No previous convictions
1985 |66 |23 |5 |3 |12 |109
1990<2> |105 |90 |6 |4 |18 |223
One previous conviction
1985 |68 |5 |2 |- |2 |77
1990<2> |54 |19 |- |3 |2 |78
Two previous convictions
1985 |67 |7 |- |2 |2 |78
1990<2> |44 |10 |- |4 |- |58
Three and over
1985 |378 |42 |2 |13 |10 |445
1990<2> |273 |33 |2 |9 |6 |323
<1> Excluding those committed in default of payment of a fine.
<2> Provisional figures.
Police Service
Ms. Richardson : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the latest available figures for (i) the total numbers of people employed in the police service broken down by (a) occupation, (b) grade, (c) gender and (d) ethnic background, (ii) the percentage increase of women employed in the service between 1978 and the latest available figures broken down by occupation and grade and (iii) the percentage increase of ethnic minorities employed in the service between 1978 and the latest available figures broken down by occupation and grade.
Mr. Peter Lloyd : The percentage increase in the number of women police officers between 1978 and February 1991 was 71.6 per cent. The percentage increase in the ethnic minority representation in the police service between 1985, when records were first kept, and February 1991 was 92.5 per cent. The tables show what is available from central records. To provide figures by occupation, by rank and gender, could be done only at disproportionate cost.
(i) Police strength as at 28 February 1991\#\
|Police |Ethnic
|strength<1>|minorities
--------------------------------------------------------------
Male Ranks
Chief Constable |48 |0
Deputy Chief Constable |59 |0
Assistant Chief Constable |136 |0
Chief Superintendent |593 |0
Superintendent |1,521 |2
Chief Inspector |2,322 |1
Inspector |6,790 |16
Sergeant |19,259 |74
Constable |82,003 |1,076
|------- |-------
Total male ranks |112,731 |1,169
Female Ranks
Chief Constable |0 |0
Deputy Chief Constable |0 |0
Assistant Chief Constable |1 |0
Chief Superintendent |11 |0
Superintendent |29 |0
Chief Inspector |55 |0
Inspector |186 |0
Sergeant |873 |2
Constable |13,526 |295
|------- |-------
Total female ranks |14,681 |297
|------- |-------
|------- |-------
Total police ranks |127,412 |1,466
(ii) Women police officers: strength 31
December 1978
and 28 February 1991 by rank
|1978 |1991
-----------------------------------------------
Assistant Chief Constable |- |1
Chief Superintendent |11 |11
Superintendent |33 |29
Chief Inspector |55 |55
Inspector |133 |186
Sergeant |407 |873
Constable |7,916 |13,526
(iii) Ethnic minority police officers : strength at 31 December 1985
and 28 February 1991 by rank
1985 1991
Superintendent 1 2
Chief Inspector -- 1
Inspector 5 16
Sergeant 44 76
Constable 711 1,371
(iii) Ethnic minority police
officers: strength 31 December
1985<2>
and 28 February 1991 by rank
|1985 |1991
----------------------------------
Superintendent |1 |2
Chief Inspector |- |1
Inspector |5 |6
Sergeant |44 |76
Constable |711 |1,371
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(iv) Deployment of police officers as at 31 December 1990 by
gender and ethnic minority
Deployment<4> |Male |Female |Ethnic
|minorities<3>
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Patrol |54,802 |8,128 |909
Special Branch/Protection |3,019 |211 |13
Crime (CID) |16,771 |1,855 |121
Community relations<5> |2,043 |343 |8
Traffic |8,556 |397 |17
Other operations |13,473 |1,707 |111
Training |2,267 |880 |77
Management |7,948 |935 |118
<1> Includes ethnic minority officers.
<2> Records not kept prior to 1985.
<3> Ethnic minority classification not held centrally.
<4> Occupational categories identified by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of
Constabulary.
<5> In the Metropolitan Police officers in the ranks of constable and sergeant
are included in patrol.
Shotguns
Mr. William Ross : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish a table showing for each constabulary in England and Wales (a) the number of shotgun certificates held, (b) the number granted, (c) the number renewed, (d) the number of shotguns surrendered or handed over to the police, (e) the number of certificates cancelled by the police and (f) the number of certificates not renewed and of the guns covered by them handed over to the police in each of the last four years ; and what became of any shotguns handed in.
Mr. Peter Lloyd : The available information, relating to England and Wales, is published annually in Home Office statistical bulletins as follows : "Statistics on the Operation of the Firearms Act 1968", issue 2/88, issue 33/88, and issue 18/89, for the years 1986 to 1988 and "Statistics on the operations of the Firearms Acts 1968 to 1988", issue 26/90, for 1989. Home office statistical bulletins are held in the Library.
These bulletins contain the information by police force area on the number of shotgun certificates on issue at 31 December each year, the number of new certificates granted, the number renewed and the number revoked during these years. For revocations in 1986, some limited information is given for England and Wales as a whole in paragraph 6 of bulletin issue 2/88.
Statistics on the number of certificates not renewed and on the number of disposal of shotguns surrendered or handed over to the police are not available.
In 1989, the Home Office published guidance to the police urging them not to destroy a shotgun of an unusual type if it was of interest to a museum or the government's forensic science laboratories.
Mr. William Ross : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department under which provisions of the Firearms Acts or other provisions, chief constables are empowered to require persons seeking the grant or renewal of a shotgun certificate to give details of the shoots the applicant attended during the preceding 12 months, and as to whether the shoots were organised or otherwise.
Mr. Peter Lloyd : Under section 28 of the Firearms Act 1968, as amended by section 3 of the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1988, a chief officer of police may refuse to grant or renew a shotgun certificate if he is satisfied that the applicant does not have a good reason for possessing,
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purchasing or acquiring a shotgun. The Act does not specify the inquiries that a chief officer may make when considering the good reason requirement, but where a chief officer has genuine doubts about an applicant's reasons for possessing a shotgun it is for him to make such inquiries as he reasonably considers necessary.Mr. William Ross : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list such information he has as to which police forces in England and Wales require applicants for the grant or renewal of a shotgun certificate to give details of (a) the shoots the applicant attended during the preceding 12 months and (b) the lands over which they have shot during the preceding 12 months.
Mr. Peter Lloyd : Under the Firearms Acts 1968 to 1988 the administration of the firearms licensing system is a matter entirely for local chief officers of police. To help to ensure consistency of practice where appropriate the Home Office published "Firearms Law : Guidance to the Police" in 1989. A copy was placed in the Library. The information requested is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Dog Attacks
Mr. David Young : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will review the compilations of statistics on dog attacks on humans to make them nationwide and more detailed ; and if he will make a statement.
Mrs. Rumbold : We shall continue to monitor nationally criminal offences under the appropriate legislation including the new offences created by the Dangerous Dogs Bill. No central records are kept of those attacks by dogs which do not lead to criminal proceedings, except in the context of an annual sample survey of home and leisure accidents involving dogs.
Prisoners
Mr. Harry Barnes : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Derbyshire, North -East of 13 June, at column 624, if he will make a statement on the progress of the review.
Mrs. Rumbold : The review is under way and the results should be available by the autumn.
Wakefield Prison
Mr. Hinchliffe : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what were the projected staffing levels agreed under "fresh start" for Her Majesty's prison Wakefield for 18 June ; what is the actual staffing figure for the same date ; and what are the reasons for any difference.
Mrs. Rumbold : The present target staffing level for prison officers at Wakefield, including principal and senior officers and specialists, is 462. There are currently 462 officers at Wakefield, 10 of whom are on detached duty from other establishments.
Televisions (Hospitals)
Mr. Graham : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many times hospitals have been visited by television detector teams ; and if he will list the hospitals ;
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(2) how many television licences are held by patients in hospitals in the United Kingdom ; and if he will list the hospitals and number of licences held by patients in each hospital showing separately the figures for the national health service and private hospitals.Mr. Peter Lloyd : Under the Broadcasting Act 1990 responsibility for issuing TV licences and enforcing the licensing requirement was transferred to the BBC with effect from 1 April 1991. It also now controls the TV licensing records. Such questions therefore fall to be answered by the BBC.
Police (Malpractice)
Mr. Corbett : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) former and (b) serving officers of the Metropolitan police are currently under investigation but not charged, following complaints of alleged malpractice in the course of criminal investigations.
Mr. Peter Lloyd : Figures are not collected in a form that enables the information requested to be readily obtained, and it can be supplied only at disproportionate cost.
Voluntary Repatriation
Mr. Cran : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the terms of the revised agreement with the International Social Service of the United Kingdom to continue operating the Government's voluntary repatriation scheme.
Mrs. Rumbold : A small scheme providing financial assistance in certain circumstances from public funds for non-British citizens settled in this country who wish to return permanently overseas to a non-European country has been administered since 1971 on behalf of the Government by International Social Service (UK), under section 29 of the Immigration Act 1971.
I have placed in the Library a copy of the recently revised agreement with International Social Service (UK), together with an information sheet on the scheme. Some minor changes have been made to an earlier 1984 agreement, to update and refine the scheme's criteria and procedures.
Charing Cross and Westminster Medical School
Mr. Simon Hughes : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many visits by Home Office inspectors were made to the laboratories of Charing Cross and Westminster medical school within the last year.
Mrs. Rumbold [holding answer 14 June 1991] : During the past 12 months the establishment has been visited by the inspectorate on five occasions involving 15 visits to departments with the establishment.
National Identification Bureau
Mrs. Mahon : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the number of subject access requests under the Data Protection Act 1984 which have been dealt with by the National Identification Bureau, by police force area, for the years 1988, 1989 and 1990 ; and if he will make a statement.
Column 102
Mr. Peter Lloyd [holding answer 11 June 1991] : The information requested is as follows.
Requests submitted to |1988 |1989 |1990
NIB by:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Avon and Somerset |29 |47 |369
Bedfordshire |47 |336 |311
British Transport Police |3 |1 |1
Cambridgeshire |21 |17 |26
Cheshire |163 |225 |391
City of London |8 |5 |15
Cleveland |8 |6 |49
Cumbria |3 |92 |7
Derbyshire |1 |4 |953
Devon and Cornwall |70 |245 |543
Dorset |5 |10 |28
Durham |4 |2 |3
Dyfed Powys |6 |65 |61
Essex |13 |241 |187
Fife |1 |2 |9
Gloucestershire |6 |46 |143
Grampian |6 |8 |5
Greater Manchester |68 |138 |236
Gwent |37 |117 |174
Hampshire |40 |55 |99
Hertfordshire |23 |33 |48
Humberside |157 |755 |697
Jersey |2 |7 |2
Kent |51 |63 |396
Lancashire |248 |932 |776
Leicestershire |7 |13 |32
Lincolnshire |9 |14 |207
Lothian |0 |2 |3
Metropolitan |395 |1,094 |1,609
Merseyside |24 |43 |47
Norfolk |4 |15 |33
Northumbria |55 |62 |77
Northamptonshire |8 |7 |11
Northern Constabulary |3 |7 |7
North Wales |2 |1 |10
North Yorkshire |20 |382 |212
Nottinghamshire |15 |47 |89
RUC |4 |4 |15
South Wales |152 |1,294 |1,892
South Yorkshire |219 |565 |780
Staffordshire |295 |813 |1,295
Strathclyde |12 |12 |15
Suffolk |7 |58 |210
Surrey |56 |378 |419
Sussex |49 |130 |175
Tayside |1 |3 |1
Thames Valley |103 |176 |276
Warwickshire |6 |44 |114
West Mercia |18 |24 |19
West Midlands |9 |25 |567
West Yorkshire |51 |94 |189
Wiltshire |4 |18 |36
|--- |--- |---
Yearly totals |2,628 |8,758 |13,848
PRIME MINISTER
Sign Language
Mr. Ashley : To ask the Prime Minister what is Her Majesty's Government's policy towards the recommendation of the EEC resolution of June 1988 to give official recognition to British sign language for the deaf.
The Prime Minister : The Government have noted the terms of the resolution on sign languages for deaf people adopted by the European Parliament in June 1988. We fully recognise the right of deaf people to use their preferred method of communication, including British sign language and have grant aided a variety of
Column 103
organisations concerned with the promotion and development of sign languages and other communication techniques.Cruise Missiles
Sir Michael McNair-Wilson : To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the departure to the United States of America of the last flight of Cruise missiles and the de-activation of 501 missile wing USAF at Greenham common.
The Prime Minister : The departure of the last cruise missiles from RAF Greenham Common on 5 March and the deactivation of the 501st Tactical Missile Wing on 4 June mark an important milestone in the implementation of the INF treaty. As well as making a vital contribution to the NATO alliance, the 501st Tactical Missile Wing has been a valuable presence in this country and welcome neighbours to the people of Newbury. The United States presence in Newbury will continue at a reduced level with the base returning to standby status.
Kurdish People
Mr. Flynn : To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Newport, West, of 25 April, Official Report, column 520 ; if he will now consider establishing safe havens in southern Iraq.
The Prime Minister : We remain very concerned by the situation of refugees in southern Iraq. We believe the best way forward is to continue our support for the work of the United Nations, including the establishment of a humanitarian centre in Basra and the expansion of relief efforts in the area. We welcome the Secretary General's decision to send a high-level fact finding mission to the south to assess humanitarian needs.
Mr. Harry Barnes : To ask the Prime Minister when he will answer the letters on behalf of the organisation British Aid for the Kurds of 17 April and 11 June sent to him by Mrs. Judith P. Stubbs of Culthorpe, Chesterfield.
The Prime Minister : The letter sent in April by Mrs. Stubbs was among the 3,500 letters about Iraq and kind offers of help for the Kurds received by my office at that time. These were sent as appropriate to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Overseas Development Administration to take forward.
The ODA has been in frequent contact with British Aid for Kurds since April to offer advice on the changing types of aid that would be most useful to the Kurds as the situation developed. The ODA chartered two Iran Air flights which carried over 90 tonnes of aid collected by British Aid for the Kurds. A reply to Mrs. Stubbs's latest letter will be sent shortly.
Energy Efficiency
Mr. Dobson : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the main items of expenditure included in the £78,000 spent in 1990-91 on improving the energy efficiency of the Cabinet Office.
The Prime Minister : The main items of expenditure in the £78,000 spent during 1990-91 on improving energy efficiency in the Cabinet Office were :
Column 104
|£
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Energy efficient lighting for the new residential block
and roads and pathways in the grounds of the
Civil Service College, Sunningdale |48,766
Energy audits of various buildings including
Nos. 10-12 Downing Street |7,245
Energy efficient lighting scheme for 70 Whitehall |22,000
Engagements
Mr. Harry Greenway : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 18 June.
Mr. Ray Powell : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 18 June.
The Prime Minister : This morning I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in the House, I shall be having further meetings later today.
Blueprint for Football"
Mr. Pendry : To ask the Prime Minister what support Her Majesty's Government intend to offer to the "Blueprint for Football" launched by the Professional Footballers Association on 6 June ; and if he will make a statement.
The Prime Minister [holding answer 17 June 1991] : We welcome any new initiative that will promote greater unity in the leadership of the game and help football raise the necessary funds to implement Lord Justice Taylor's recommendations and thereby improve standards of safety and comfort for spectators. My hon. Friend the Minister for Sport has had discussions with the Professional Footballers Association, the Football Association, the Football League and representatives of the supporters' associations to hear their various proposals for the future of the game. He has not indicated a view on any of them other than to welcome them as a contribution to the debate. He has made it clear that decisions are for football alone to take.
Birmingham Olympiad
Sir Neil Macfarlane : To ask the Prime Minister if he has any plans to meet the president of the International Olympic Committee during the Olympiad in Birmingham ; what functions the Government intend to host during that event ; and if he will make a statement.
The Prime Minister [holding answer 17 June 1991] : I have not yet had the opportunity of meeting the president of the International Olympic Committee. However, the Minister for Sport was present at the opening of the 97th congress of the IOC in Birmingham and had discussions with the president, other senior officials and members of the IOC. The Government were not invited to host any functions.
Column 105
OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT
Czechoslovakia
Mr. Atkinson : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on United Kingdom help for Czechoslovakia through the know-how fund and the Council of Europe's demonsthenes programme.
Mrs. Chalker : The know-how fund was extended to Czechoslovakia in March 1990. Its objective is to help the transition to democracy and a market economy through the provision of British advice, skills and training. Some £2 million was spent in 1990-91 and we expect to spend £5 to £6 million in 1991-92. For details of the projects on which money has been spent, I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Erdington (Mr. Corbett) on 17 January at column 563. Additional activities agreed since then are as follows :
Financial services and macroeconomic advice
Title : Assistance to Investicni bank.
Description : Provision of advice and training to enable the Czechoslovak Investment bank to set up and run unit trusts/mutual funds.
Status : Under way.
Cost : £30,000.
Title : Assistance to Komercni Bank
Description : Secondment of two United Kingdom nationals to help set up a merchant/investment banking division.
Status : To be implemented.
Cost : £400,000.
Title : Accountancy training.
Description : A five day introduction to accountancy course to be delivered by the Chartered Association of Certified Accountants. Status : To be implemented.
Cost : £17,500.
Title : Assistance to the Insurance sector.
Description : Advice on the restructuring of the Czech State Insurance company.
Status : Under way.
Costs : £150,000.
Title : Privatisation advice.
Description : The second phase of a major consultancy advising the Czechoslovak government on privatisation policy, in particular the scheme for mass privatisation by voucher.
Status : Under way.
Cost : £575,000.
Title : Assistance to the Slovak Securities Market.
Description : Advice on the establishment and development of a Stock Exchange in Bratislava.
Status : To be implemented.
Cost : £50,000.
Employment services
Title : Further assistance to the Czechoslovak employment service. Description : Provision of courses to train future trainers of job centre directors.
Status : Under way
Cost : £50,000.
Title : Assistance with health and safety at work.
Description : An exploratory mission to look at requirements for assistance in this field.
Status : Completed.
Cost : £2,000.
Management training and small business advice
Title : Management training.
Description : An initial programme of assistance in the management field aimed at preparing the ground for a major programme of
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