| Previous Section | Home Page |
HOME DEPARTMENT
Criminal Injuries Compensation
Mr. Straw: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what have been (a) the administration costs, (b) the legal costs and (c) other costs incurred as a result of the introduction of the 1994 tariff for criminal injuries compensation, the ensuing court case, and the subsequent abandonment of the tariff scheme. [32635]
Mr. Maclean: I refer the hon. Member to the answers given to him in the Official Report on 17 May, column 288 .
Foundation for Business Responsibilities
Mr. Robert Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will make a statement on the powers of the Charity Commissioners to force charities to provide lists of their donors; what penalties can be imposed to enforce these powers; and if these powers were used during the commissioner's investigation into the Foundation for Business Responsibilities; [32055]
(2) if he will make a statement on the legal powers of the Charity Commission to compel individuals to come for interview to aid its inquiries; what penalties can be imposed to enforce these powers; and if such powers or penalties were used in the commission's investigation into the Foundation for Business
Responsibilities. [32054]
Mr. Nicholas Baker: The Charity Commission has power under the Charities Act 1993 to require a person to supply documents, or copies of documents, relevant to the discharge of its functions. A person who is found guilty of wilfully suppressing any document which he is required to produce to the commission may be liable to a fine and/or a term of imprisonment.
Charities are not, however, required to retain lists of individual donors. The commission does not use its formal powers to require lists of donors.
The commission may compel individuals to come for interview during an investigation, using its powers under section 8 and 9 of the Charities Act 1993, and it may enforce those powers under sections 87, 88 or 90(2) of that Act. I understand that it was not necessary to use those powers during the commission's inquiry into the Foundation for Business Responsibilities.
Mr. Robert Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 29 June, Official Report , column 766 , if the Charity Commission investigators were informed of other break-ins at the Foundation for Business Responsibilities' former offices; and if they sought or received confirmatory evidence of these further break- ins. [32743]
Mr. Baker: Charity Commission investigators were not informed of any other break-ins at the Foundation for Business Responsibilities' former offices.
Stalking
Mr. Dafis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what assessment he has made of the available data on stalking in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement; [32061]
Column 348
(2) what action he proposes to deter stalkers and to protect their victims; [32063](3) what representations he has received from the national anti-stalking and harassment campaign and support association; what response he has made; and if he will make a statement; [32064] (4) if he will introduce legislation to make stalking a criminal offence. [32060]
Mr. Maclean: It is a matter of great concern when an individual persistently and obsessively pursues another, to the point of causing distress and anxiety to the unwilling recipient of his attentions. We are aware of a number of such cases through press reports and information supplied by the police, individuals who have been personally involved, and the national anti-stalking and harassment campaign, NASH. NASH has also provided a number of detailed assessments of the problem, including proposals to amend the law to make stalking a specific criminal offence.
This is, however, a difficult area in which to legislate, since the behaviour of stalkers can range from ostensibly harmless activities such as sitting outside a person's house, following them, and sending flowers and chocolates--which cannot be prohibited by law--to more serious actions, such as making threats, nuisance telephone calls, and sending abusive letters--which are already criminal offences. I have responded to NASH, and to others, expressing the Government's reservations about legislating in this area. Nevertheless, we are aware that specific anti-stalking legislation is in place in the United States and Canada, and we are examining their laws to see if there are any lessons to be learnt.
Children (Interviews)
Mr. Alan Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to include guidance on interviewing children with special needs within the memorandum of good practice in line with the Criminal Justice Act 1991. [32044]
Mr. Maclean: We are considering whether to revise the memorandum of good practice to take account of this and other points raised by research and experience to date.
Sabotage
Mr. Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what advice his department has offered to farmers and the food industry on measures they can take to protect themselves from sabotage and other acts of violence; and if he will make a statement. [31166]
Mr. Michael Howard: The animal rights national index, which is based at New Scotland Yard and funded by my Department, provides regular briefings to companies and other national organisations at risk from animal rights extremists. The index also provides assessments and other material for police special branches to support them discharge their responsibility for organising local briefings for those considered to be possible targets. Where individuals or locations are assessed to be at particular risk, the police offer specific protective security advice.
Column 349
Closed Circuit Television
Mrs. Roche: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to initiate another competition for closed circuit television funding. [32735]
Mr. Maclean: The recent CCTV challenge competition injected £5 million into local CCTV schemes, generating up to £13.8 million in other funding. Although my right hon. and learned Friend has not ruled out the possibility of further competitions in the future, it is too early to give a firm commitment.
Mr. Corbett: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what specific funding is available in the current financial year and in 1996 97 to assist with the installation of closed circuit television in shopping centres and high streets. [32380]
Mr. Maclean [holding answer 3 July 1995]: Local authorities can bid for funds under the single regeneration budget challenge fund for various specific purposes, including the establishment of CCTV schemes. The recent CCTV challenge competition has injected £5 million into local CCTV schemes, generating up to £13.8 million in other funding. The possibility of further competition in the future has not been ruled out but it is too early to give a firm commitment.
Private Security Industry
Mrs. Roche: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to respond to the first report from the Home Affairs Committee HC17 on the private security industry. [32736]
Mr. Maclean: My right hon. and learned Friend has asked colleagues for their views on the report, and the Government will then respond as soon as possible.
Metropolitan Police Committee
Mrs. Roche: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects the Metropolitan Police Committee to issue its first annual report. [32739]
Mr. Maclean: This is a matter for the chairman of the Metropolitan Police Committee.
Reactivated Firearms
Mr. Milburn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has about shootings involving reactivated firearms. [32981]
Mr. Maclean: We are aware of 19 incidents since the beginning of 1993 involving firearms which have been identified as being previously deactivated and then reactivated to working condition. The standards to which firearms are deactivated have been comprehensively reviewed. Revised, more stringent, specifications will be introduced shortly.
Police Paperwork
Mr. Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 9 February, Official Report , column 383 , what progress has been made on the development of a standard computer system for all police forces. [32856]
Column 350
Mr. Maclean: A standard computer system for case processing is being developed by Greater Manchester police as part of the national strategy for police information systems. The system is expected to make a significant contribution towards reducing police paperwork, in keeping with the recommendations of the recent efficiency scrutiny of the administrative burdens on the police. Standard computer systems for the custody process, the provision of management information, and the direction of police responses to incidents, which were identified by the police service as priorities for immediate national development, are also now being taken forward. Avon and Somerset constabulary, Hertfordshire constabulary and the Metropolitan police have undertaken to produce standard systems for each of these essential tasks. We expect that the first of these systems will become available towards the end of next year. The Government are providing both technical and financial assistance to each of the lead forces.
Neckholds
Mr. Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what reports his Department has received about deaths or injuries from the use of neckholds; what plans he has to review their continued use or training arrangements appertaining to officers authorised to use them; and if he will make a statement. [32093]
Mr. Maclean: The Police Complaints Authority, in its annual report for 1993, stated that it had passed expert opinion on the effect of neckholds and certain armlocks to the relevant committee of the Association of Chief Police Officers. I understand that that committee has almost completed a review of the guidance on self-defence and restraint. Training of police officers in the use of self-defence and restraint techniques is a matter for the chief officer of each force.
Retail Staff
Mr. Ian McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 21 June, Official Report , columns 268 69, if he will list the types of violence against retailers that has led to representations being made to him by right hon. and hon. Members. [32252]
Mr. Maclean: The representations made to my right hon. and learned Friend were made in response to a proposition carried at the 1995 annual delegate meeting of the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers, USDAW. This proposition, which was copied to hon. Members, referred to the deaths of, and attacks against, retail workers.
Crime Statistics
Mr. Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information his Department holds on the incidence of crime by geographical area smaller than police force area; and if this information can be related to post code areas. [31929]
Mr. Maclean: Information on notifiable offences recorded by the police is collected regularly by the Home Office only at police force area level. More local figures are obtained from forces on an ad hoc basis in order to
Column 351
answer specific requests for internal briefing, or for use in research projects.Arrests
Ms Gordon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were arrested for all types of offence in each police force area in 1994. [31367]
Mr. Maclean: The available information relates to the total number of arrests and is given in the table.
Total arrests in England and Wales in 1994, by police force
area
Police force area |Number of arrests in
|1994
---------------------------------------------------------------
Avon and Somerset |40,875
Bedfordshire |18,005
Cambridgeshire |19,320
Cheshire |31,767
Cleveland |28,694
Cumbria |20,282
Derbyshire |25,181
Devon and Cornwall |35,707
Dorset |16,675
Durham |27,190
Essex |42,120
Gloucestershire |17,980
Greater Manchester |123,855
Hampshire |64,285
Hertfordshire |21,483
Humberside |32,618
Kent |54,509
Lancashire |62,546
Leicestershire |23,133
Lincolnshire |20,277
London, City of |6,070
Merseyside |68,059
Metropolitan Police |150,951
Norfolk |15,844
Northamptonshire |20,420
Northumbria |69,001
North Yorkshire |23,652
Nottinghamshire |41,517
South Yorkshire |50,629
Staffordshire |38,419
Suffolk |16,652
Surrey |18,046
Sussex |39,633
Thames Valley |60,913
Warwickshire |16,054
West Mercia |39,214
West Midlands |133,156
West Yorkshire |81,314
Wiltshire |16,025
Dyfed Powys |16,068
Gwent |21,523
North Wales |26,360
South Wales |57,386
England and Wales |1,753,408
Michael Bettaney
Mr. Bermingham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the security alert that took place at Swaleside prison on Saturday 27 May involving the convicted spy Michael Bettaney; if Michael Bettaney had access to maps, drawings and photographs of the outside of the prison; what disciplinary proceedings have arisen or will arise out of this incident; when Michael Bettaney's case will next
Column 352
be reviewed by the parole board; and for what reasons Michael Bettaney is held in conditions that isolate him from other prisoners at Swaleside prison. [28351]Mr. Michael Howard [holding answer 13 June 1995]: Through the vigilance of staff supervising a visit at Swaleside prison on 27 May, a number of photographs were confiscated from Michael Bettaney, along with a crude outline drawing showing Swaleside and Elmley prisons as squares.
Security at the prison has not been compromised. The police have now concluded their investigations and reported to the Crown Prosecution Service. A Prison Service inquiry is now taking place into the incident and the question of disciplinary proceedings will be decided when that inquiry is concluded and after the Crown Prosecution Service has decided whether to take action.
Michael Bettaney became eligible for parole after serving a third of his sentence and, like other prisoners, his case is reviewed annually.
For reasons of national security I am unable to discuss the conditions in which Michael Bettaney is held, or the reasons for them.
Ian Hay
Mr. Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will agree to meet a delegation of constituents concerned about the circumstances surrounding the killing of Ian Hay by a police marksman. [32378]
Mr. Maclean [holding answer 3 July 1995]: I have already agreed to meet my hon. Friend, at a mutually convenient date, to discuss his constituents' concerns about this case.
Police Tasks Review
Mr. Straw: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total cost of undertaking the review of police core and ancillary tasks; how many of his Department's officials were allocated to work on the review; and how many staff hours were spent on it. [32079]
Mr. Maclean [holding answer 3 July 1995]: Five Home Office staff and one Metropolitan police chief inspector were allocated to the review. The total staff hours are estimated at 12,000. The associated pay costs, travelling and subsistence, and the estimated cost of printing and distribution, amounted to about £233,000. This does not include the costs incurred by other organisations involved in the review.
Sex Tourism
Mrs. Jane Kennedy: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consultations he has had with other EU member states concerning possible measures to prevent sex tourism and the sexual abuse of children in developing countries; and if he will make a statement. [28839]
Mr. Maclean [holding answer 15 June 1995]: We are monitoring closely the ability of other countries' laws, including those of other EU member states, to deal with the problem of child prostitution and sex tourism, to see whether any lessons can be learnt.
Column 353
Mrs. Kennedy: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to introduce legislation to permit the prosecution in the United Kingdom of United Kingdom subjects who commit sexual offences, with particular reference to those against children, in foreign countries. [28837]
Mr. Maclean [holding answer 15 June 1995]: The Government deplore the sexual exploitation of children, wherever it may occur. Our own law against such abuse is rightly severe. Our courts' jurisdiction, though, is territorially based rather than nationality based, and we therefore have no power to prosecute British nationals who commit offences against children in other countries.
We are, however, considering whether there is any scope for further Government action to tackle the problem of child prostitution and sex tourism.
Mrs. Kennedy: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he intends to take to monitor the sale and promotion of sex holidays in foreign countries by tour operators, travel agents and individuals in the United Kingdom. [28838]
Mr. Maclean [holding answer 15 June 1995]: We are aware of the concern about the sale and promotion of sex holidays in foreign countries by tour operators, travel agents and individuals in the United Kingdom. By its nature, such activity does not lend itself likely to monitoring by the Government. We are, however, currently considering whether international police liaison in this area could be improved.
Young Prisoners
Mr. Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the number of (a) boys and (b) girls under the age of 16 years who were being held in prisons in England and Wales as of 19 June. [31099]
Miss Widdecombe [holding answer 26 June 1995]: 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 Brian Landers to Mr. Tom Cox, dated 6 July 1995: The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question asking for the number of (a) boys and (b) girls under the age of 16 years who were being held in prisons in England and Wales as of 19 June. The latest available provisional information is for 30 April 1995. On that date 187 males (52 remand and 135 sentenced) and 4 females (all sentenced) aged under 16 were held in Prison Service establishments in England and Wales. Information on the juvenile prison population is published in successive volumes of "Prison Statistics England and Wales" (Table 3.2 of the 1992 edition, Cm 2581), a copy of which is available in the Library of the House.
TRANSPORT
Marine Rescue
Ms Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list for each year since 1986 the number of (a) incidents and (b) people involved, including those rescued, assisted and fatalities, for each marine rescue centre. [31756]
Column 354
Mr. Norris: This is an operational matter for the Coastguard Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from C. J. Harris to Ms Joan Walley, dated 6 July 1995: The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply your recent Parliamentary Question as the question deals with an operational matter, for which I have responsibility as Chief Executive.
Tables giving the details you requested have been placed in the Library.
Persons assisted is a combined total of persons assisted and rescued, separate figures are not available for the two categories.
Channel Tunnel Rail Link
Mr. Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he will make his decision on the tenders for the CTRL project submitted on 14 March. [32095]
Mr. Watts: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport to my hon. Friend the Member for Mid Kent (Mr. Rowe) on 3 July 1995, Official Report, column 61.
Mr. Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the studies that have been undertaken into the traffic impact on (a) Hackney and (b) East London generally of a channel tunnel rail link station at Stratford. [32442]
Mr. Watts: A broad brush assessment of the road traffic and highway impact of a possible channel tunnel link station at Stratford in East London is set out in Ove Arup and Partners' final report on Stratford traffic impacts, which formed part of, and was published in January 1994 at the same time as, Union Railways' report to Government on the rail link. Substantial further work will be required if it is decided that an intermediate station should be provided at Stratford.
Ferry Safety
Mr. Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 23 May, Official Report , column 569 , how long was the interval between (a) the general alarm signal and the abandon ship signal, (b) the abandon ship signal and the reception of all passengers aboard lifeboats/liferafts and (c) the reception of all passengers aboard lifeboats/liferafts and the reception ashore, in the ferry exercises Common Aim 3, Claymore, Goodwin, Liverpool Bay, Eddystone, Webex, Seafire, Beauforts Dyke and Soverign. [31491]
Mr. Norris: This is an operational matter for the Coastguard Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from C. J. Harris to Mr. Paul Flynn, dated 3 July 1995 : The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question as the question deals with an operational matter, for which I have responsibility as Chief Executive.
The information requested is not recorded by the Department.
Column 355
Flight Delays
Mr. Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the average delay time of scheduled flights to European destinations from Heathrow in March and June. [31854]
Mr. Norris: The average delay to scheduled passenger flights between Heathrow and European airports in March 1995 was four minutes.
June 1995 statistics will not be available for approximately eight weeks.
Birmingham Orbital Routes
Mr. Tyler: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what plans he has to invite private consortia to construct the proposed western orbital motorway around Birmingham through the design, build, finance and operate private finance initiative; and if he will make a statement; [32741]
(2) what is his current policy on the building of the proposed western orbital motorway around Birmingham as a toll motorway under the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991; and when he intends to invite private consortia to bid to act as concessionaire for the route. [32740]
Mr. Watts: No decision has yet been taken to build the western orbital. The next step in the planning of the scheme would be the publication of draft orders which would open a formal objection period leading to a public inquiry.
The trunk roads review, published in March 1994, indicated that the western orbital route would be considered for its suitability to be taken forward under a design, build, finance, and operate contract. DBFO contracts involve remuneration to operators from Government, and do not require payment of tolls by road users.
Train Services
Mr. Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the adequacy in meeting the needs of passengers of the integration and co-ordination of bank holiday services stopping at Epsom, Dorking, Havant and Portsmouth, run by South West Trains and Network South Central and services stopping at Portsmouth harbour run by Regional Railways. [32621]
Mr. Watts: None. This is an operational matter for British Rail and its train operating units.
Motorway Charging
Mr. Tyler: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what plans he has to sign contracts for design, build, finance and operate road schemes, prior to enacting legislation to enable a charge to be levied from users of existing motorways. [32745]
(2) what studies he has carried out into the implications for public spending of the design, build, finance and operate private finance initiative if Government plans for motorway charging is abandoned or substantially delayed; [32742]
(3) whether he intends his plans for motorway charging to encompass (a) the A419/A417 Swindon-Gloucester road, (b) the A69 Newcastle-Carlisle road, (c) the A30/A35
Column 356
Exeter-Bere Regis Road, (d) the A50/A564 Stoke-Derby road and (e) other all-purpose trunk roads. [32744]Mr. Watts: Competitions for the first two tranches of DBFO projects, comprising eight schemes, are currently under way. They are expected to be concluded later this year and early next year respectively. The DBFO initiative is not conditional on charging users directly for the use of inter-urban roads. Remuneration of DBFO operators, which will be over 30 years and linked to usage, will be met from the resources available to this Department for its spending programmes.
Legislation would be required to introduce charging and that would be a matter for Parliament in due course. The Government have said that they envisage charging for the motorway network.
Mr. Tyler: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his timetable for his plans to charge motorists for the use of motorways; and if he will make a statement. [32746]
Mr. Watts: Policy on motorway charging remains as stated by the then Secretary of State for Transport in the Official Report , column 646 49 , on 2 December 1993. Its introduction is subject to the availability of suitable technology, which is being assessed, and Parliament's approval of the necessary legislation.
SOCIAL SECURITY
Household Income
Mr. Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the average annual household income after deduction of direct and indirect taxation and housing costs at 1995 prices of (a) the richest 20 per cent. and (b) the poorest 20 per cent. of families in each year since 1979 in (i) York, (ii) north Yorkshire, (iii) Yorkshire and Humberside and (iv) England. [31606]
Mr. Burt: The information is not available in the form requested. Estimates of average household income after direct and indirect taxation for the richest and poorest 20 per cent. of households in the United Kingdom as a whole, have been published each year since 1957 in an article on "The Effects of Taxes and Benefits on Household Incomes" in "Economic Trends". The most recent estimates for 1993 are available in the December edition of `Economic Trends' No. 494 (HMSO ISBN 011 620643 8).
In addition, estimates of patterns of personal disposable income in the United Kingdom can be found in "Households Below Average Income 1979--1992 93"--HMSO ISBN 011 762 3180--published in June this year. Copies of both publications are in the Library.
Jobseeker's Allowance
Mr. Ian McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what are the Government estimates of the percentage of unemployment benefit claimants disqualified from benefit for leaving employment voluntarily, being dismissed for misconduct or for refusal of employment since April 1994, who would be eligible for jobseeker's allowance hardship payments for (a) the
Column 357
completed period of disqualification and (b) part of the period of disqualification. [32592]
| Next Section
| Home Page |