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Dental Services

Mr. Alex Carlile: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the adequacy of NHS dental provision in Newtown, Llanidloes,


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Machynlleth and Dolgellau; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Redwood [holding answer 1 November 1994]: It is for health authorities to assess the adequacy of NHS dental services in their locality.

Family health services authorities are encouraged to seek my permission to employ salaried dentists in areas where there is a shortfall in service provision. Gwynedd and Powys family health services authorities have applied for permission to employ salaried dentists in their areas. As a result, the Gwynedd family health services authority has permission to employ four salaried dentists, to be deployed at such centres as that authority judges best to ensure the availability of general dental services, and the Powys authority has permission to employ a salaried dentist at Builth Wells.

Powys family health services authority has since made further applications to employ salaried dentists at Machynlleth and Newtown. With the agreement of the authority, the Machynlleth application is being held in abeyance pending the result of a Welsh Office sponsored advertising campaign to attract further independent practitioners to the area. The application in respect of Newtown is presently under consideration. Newtown has recently been declared a designated area under the dental location incentive scheme. My Department will provide the funding for those who qualify for the grants which are now available for dentists wishing to set up or expand practices in the Newtown area.


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On 20 October my Department provided additional funding of £50,000 to the Gwynedd health authority to purchase additional treatment sessions to support the community dental service safety net role.

European Regional Funds

Mr. Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give details of European Union expenditure in Wales on an (a) gross and (b) net basis; and if he will place a copy in the Library of such recent documentation on the above calculation as he has available.

Mr. Redwood [holding answer 20 October 1994]: Expenditure figures in Wales are available from the structural funds on a gross basis only. Information on other areas of European Union expenditure is not available for Wales. Neither is it possible to present this information on a net basis.

I will place in the Library of the House a copy of the information available.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Security Officers

Mr. Welsh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the number of (a) registered and (b) non-registered security officers currently operating in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Maclean: There is no central system of registration for security officers.

Merseyside Police

Mr. Kilfoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what projections he has made of the future budget needs of Merseyside police.

Mr. Maclean: The budget requirement for the Merseyside police is a matter for the Merseyside police authority.

Mr. John Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he next plans to meet representatives of Merseyside police authority to discuss their funding requirements for 1995 96.

Mr. Maclean: A letter setting out the basis of the revised new police funding formula will be going to the Merseyside police authority shortly. Detailed proposals for central Government support for the Merseyside police in 1995 96 will be available shortly after the Budget on 29 November.

Neighbourhood Security Patrols

Mr. Tipping: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent discussions he has had about the possibility of vetting and regulating firms offering neighbourhood security patrols.

Mr. Maclean: Home Office Ministers and officials have frequent contacts with the police and the private security industry in which the question of regulation can arise. Last year we published a Green Paper on the arrangements for criminal record checks on people seeking employment in sensitive areas. We intend to publish a white paper setting out the results of our review in the new year.


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Firearms

Mrs. Helen Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what were 1993's figures for crimes of violence where firearms were used.

Mr. Howard: In 1993, 8,777 notifiable offences of violence were recorded by the police in England and Wales in which firearms were reported to have been used.

Seventy four involved offences of homicide, 1,047 attempted murder and other acts, including wounding, endangering life, 1,738 other offences of violence against the person and 5,918 of robbery.

Immigration

Sir Teddy Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what importance he attaches to retaining the system of intergovernmental co-operation on European immigration issues.

Mr. Howard: The Government attach the utmost importance to the continuation of the present intergovernmental arrangements under title VI of the treaty on European Union.

Wheel Clamping

Mr. Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he now expects to announce the Government's response to his Department's consultation on wheel clamping.

Mr. Maclean: As soon as possible.

Closed Circuit Television

Mr. Illsley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will provide finance to local authorities to facilitate the implementation of the CCTV system in town centre locations.

Mr. Howard: Last month I announced a new challenge competition to set up more CCTV systems in England and Wales with £2 million Government funding in 1994 95. Local authorities will be able to bid for funds in partnership with the police and other organisations, including the private sector.

Mrs. Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list areas in which crime has fallen as a result of the installation of closed circuit television systems.

Mr. Maclean: Towns and cities all over the country report decreases in crime due to the presence of the cameras and the availability of video evidence to help convict criminals. Examples include Kings Lynn, Newcastle and Bradford, to name but a few.

Mr. Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on Government plans to incorporate the draft directive on article 8 of the European convention on human rights in reporting the use of closed circuit television systems into United Kingdom law.

Mr. Maclean: We have no plans to proceed in this way.

Mr. Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the guidelines that are available for the use of closed circuit television cameras in public areas.


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Mr. Maclean: We shall shortly be issuing a good practice guide on the use of closed circuit television in public places. Copies will be sent to all police forces, local authorities and large businesses.

Police Authorities

Mr. Martyn Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to ensure that best practice spreads between police authorities.

Mr. Howard: The Police and Magistrates' Courts Act 1994 codifies best practice and sets out clearly what is expected of police authorities.

Under the provisions of the Act, I laid a code of practice yesterday which should promote good practice on financial management.

Special Constables

Mr. Colin Shepherd: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the assistance provided by special constables in routine police patrolling.

Mr. Howard: No specific assessment has been made. Her Majesty's inspectors of constabulary are told that specials spend a large part of their time on duty supporting regular police officers on patrol, and that this support is of real value to regular officers and the local community.

The Government recognise the importance of police foot patrol to members of the public, even in low crime areas. I recently announced the launch of a new type of special constables--the neighbourhood constable--who will patrol, on foot, their own neighbourhood.

Overseas Domestic Workers

Mrs. Roche: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action his Department is planning to strengthen measures to protect overseas domestic workers from abusive employers during their stay in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Nicholas Baker: We are keeping the arrangements for the admission of domestic workers to the United Kingdom under review in consultation with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Employment Department.

Mr. Peter Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of state for the Home Department what public funding is available to voluntary organisations for help to overseas domestic workers seeking advice or help in cases of gross exploitation.

Mr. Nicholas Baker: Information about funding specifically for this purpose is not available.

DNA Sampling

Mr. Batiste: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received regarding the use of DNA sampling to fight crime; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Howard: Almost all the correspondence we have received has been supportive of our proposals to allow DNA samples to be taken in all recordable offences. The police have warmly welcomed our plans. They help bring the law into line with the capabilities of modern technology. The full force of modern science will be brought to bear upon the modern criminal.


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Mr. Congdon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his response to the recommendations of the Royal Commission on criminal justice regarding DNA sampling.

Mr. Maclean: Our proposals for legislation arising from the Royal Commission's recommendations on DNA are contained in the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994.

Drugs (Sentencing)

Mr. Gallie: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to set minimum jail sentences for those who sell category A drugs; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Michael Forsyth: None. The courts should be left to determine appropriate sentences in individual cases.

The maximum penalty for supplying category A drugs is life imprisonment. We look to the courts to pass very long prison sentences in the most serious cases.

European Court of Justice

Mr. Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list issues affecting his Department that are due to come before the European Court of Justice for adjudication; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Michael Forsyth: A number, including the exclusion orders against Mr. Adams and Mr. Gallagher and interpretation of article 7a of the treaty of Rome.

Electoral Registration

Mr. Barnes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the applicability of citizens charter principles to electoral registration; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Nicholas Baker: Electoral registration officers have a statutory duty to include in the electoral register the names of all people who appear to them to be eligible. If the rights of electors have been denied, remedies are available through the courts. My right hon. and learned Friend therefore has no plans to introduce a charter covering electoral registration.

Crime Statistics

Mr. Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the latest figures on recorded crime in Hertfordshire.

Mr. Maclean: In the 12 months to June 1994, 54,268 offences were recorded by the police in Hertfordshire. This represents a decrease of eight per cent. on the corresponding period for the previous year.

Mr. Ottaway: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has formed of current trends in the figures for recorded crime.

Mr. Maclean: The most recent figures, for the 12 months to June 1994, show that the number of crimes recorded by the police in England and Wales decreased by 5.5 per cent. compared with the previous 12 months. This is the largest fall over 12 months for 40 years. I very much hope that, following on as it does from the one per cent. fall for the whole of 1993, this will serve to reassure the public that recent rises in recorded crime can not only be slowed but actually reversed.


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Prison Places, North-west

Mr. Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to increase the number of prison places in the north- west.

Mr. Michael Forsyth: Over the next five years more than 2,200 additional places will be provided.

Violent Crime

Mr. Milburn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment he has made of trends in violent crime.

Mr. Howard: Between 1981 and 1993, violent crime recorded by the police increased at a rate of 6 per cent. per year, compared with an increase in all recorded crime of 5 per cent. per year. In the 12 months to June 1994, violent crime accounted for 6 per cent. of all crimes recorded by the police.

The British crime survey provides an insight into people's experience of crime, whether or not they report it to the police. The survey suggests that for those offences that can be compared with the police figures, violent crime increased at a rate of less than 3 per cent. per year between 1981 and 1993.

Ministerial Visits

Mr. Brandreth: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to visit the Cheshire probation service to discuss crime prevention; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Nicholas Baker: My right hon. and learned Friend has no immediate plans to visit the Cheshire probation service.

Mr. Bennett: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he next intends to visit police cells in Greater Manchester to discuss the number of remand and convicted prisoners being held therein.

Mr. Michael Forsyth: There are no plans to do so.

Home Leave (Prisoners)

Mr. Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his policy on home leave for prisoners.

Mr. Michael Forsyth: A comprehensive review of the existing arrangements for home leave and temporary release has recently been completed. As a result of this work, new arrangements, which place greater emphasis on the safety of the public, will be announced shortly.

In the meantime, instructions are being issued to governors that all temporary absence from prison will be subject to a tighter and more rigorous risk assessment. The police and probation service will be consulted about the release of prisoners, particularly those convicted of serious violent offences.

Prisoners who are released temporarily will be subject to spot checks, and those who breach the terms of their licence will be dealt with according to the prison disciplinary system. These changes will be implemented in full by no later than 1 December 1994.

Cannabis

Mr. Tony Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many adult cautions were issued


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by the Metropolitan police for the possession of cannabis for personal use.

Mr. Maclean: I understand that the latest provisional figures for 1993 record that 8,050 persons received adult cautions for possession of cannabis within the Metropolitan police district.

Squatting

Mr. Streeter: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what impact he expects the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 to have on the practice of squatting; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Maclean: My right hon. and learned Friend is confident that the Bill will provide much greater protection to property owners who wish to remove squatters from their property. Through the provision of a quick and effective remedy for aggrieved property owners, squatters will no longer be able to delay the eviction procedure while remaining in possession of the property.

Crime

Mr. Mans: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to encourage people to help the police tackle crime.

Mr. Maclean: On 28 September, my right hon. and learned Friend launched the partners against crime initiative, encouraging individuals actively to help the police. This initiative has three main strands-- neighbourhood watch, street watch and neighbourhood constables, and is linked into the expansion of the special constabulary.

Neighbourhood Watch, London

Mr. John Marshall: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about progress of neighbourhood watch in London.

Mr. Maclean: I am pleased to report the success of neighbourhood watch in London. There are over 10,887 schemes covering more than 1 million households. I understand that in my hon. Friend's own constituency 50 per cent. of all households are members of neighbourhood watch.

Rapists

Mr. Faber: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what facilities are available in Her Majesty's prisons for the counselling and rehabilitation of convicted rapists; how widespread are these facilities; and if their use is compulsory.

Mr. Michael Forsyth: Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

Letter from Derek Lewis to Mr. David Faber, dated3 November 1994:

The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the counselling and rehabilitation of convicted rapists. Since 1992, the Prison Service in England and Wales has been running substantial treatment programmes for sex offenders, both rapists and child molesters, in 17 adult prisons and one young


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offender institution. Four more establishments will shortly join the programme.

During the year ending 31 March 1994, the Prison Service assessed the treatment needs of 904 sex offenders and treated 439 inmates on this programme.

Originally inmates serving sentences of four years or more for a sex offence were targeted and we are now able to offer the programme to all adult male offenders in this category. We are expanding the programme to any prisoner who wishes to have treatment and has sufficient sentence length to complete the programme, including suitable young offenders.

The programme is not compulsory because an inmate must be motivated to change his behaviour for the programme to be effective. However, since successful completion of the programme is regarded as an essential part of preparation for release, a prisoner's participation and performance during the programme will be considered when parole decisions are made.

Private Security Firms

Mrs. Roche: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what checks his Department makes in respect of (a) criminal records and (b) training of employees of firms contracted by his Department to carry out private security work.

Mr. Maclean: The checks made in respect of criminal records of employees of private security firms contracted to undertake security work on behalf of the Home Office vary according to the requirements of the contract, or the sensitivity of the work. Units will make checks in appropriate cases. Any particular training requirements will be specified in the invitation to tender and checked before award of contract.

Dr. Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 28 October, Official Report , column 874 , what plans he has to introduce regulations to prevent a person with a criminal record from offering security services.

Mr. Maclean: There are no present plans to introduce such regulations, but we keep the case for intervention under review.

Mr Kani Yilmaz

Mr. Austin-Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many previous occasions Mr. Kani Yilmaz has visited the United Kingdom; and what action was then taken by his Department.

Mr. Nicholas Baker: Mr. Yilmaz previously entered the United Kingdom on 23 June 1993, 2 October 1993, 4 December 1993 and 12 April 1994. On each occasion he was admitted as a visitor.

Mr. Austin-Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he first became aware of the intention of Mr. Kani Yilmaz to enter the United Kingdom on his most recent visit.

Mr. Nicholas Baker: On 24 October after his arrival the previous day.

Mr. Austin-Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what contacts his Department had with Mr. Kani Yilmaz on his previous visits to the United Kingdom.


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