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Roger Casement
Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the review of the records relating to Roger Casement has been completed. [38349]
Mr. Howard: The review of the Roger Casement records, requested by the Institute of Contemporary History under the open government initiative, has been completed. I am pleased to announce that my Department's records will today be released at the Public Record Office.
Probation and Bail Hostels
Mr. Michael: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in how many instances local objections have been made to the siting of an approved probation and bail hostel since 1990; and if he will list those objections. [37185]
Mr. Howard: Since 1990, 24 approved probation and bail hostels have been opened. In all cases there were some local objections, including representations to the local planning authority and the Home Office; but it is not practicable to provide an exhaustive list.
Police Cautions
Mr. Michael: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many juveniles and young persons had been cautioned by the police on (a) three occasions, (b) four occasions and (c) more than five occasions. [37179]
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Mr. Maclean: The information requested is not collected routinely. The table shows results from a special study of all 4,500 offenders cautioned for indictable offences in one week of 1994 in England and Wales.
Persons cautioned in one week of November, 1994
England and Wales Percentages
Number of
previous
cautions Age
|21 and
|Under 18 |18 to 20 |over |All
---------------------------------------------------------------
None |82 |87 |89 |85
One |12 |9 |8 |10
Two |4 |<2>(2) |<2>(2) |3
Three |<2>(2) |<2>(1) |<2>(1) |1
Four or more |<2>(1) |<2>(0) |<2>(1) |<2>(1)
<1> Not necessarily in the study year.
<2> () Figures based on fewer than 50 people.
Mr. Michael: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of (a) juveniles and (b) young persons, who were formally cautioned by the police in England and Wales, did not subsequently become the subject of a further arrest and further caution in each of the last three years for which figures each are available. [37180]
Mr. Maclean: The information requested is not collected routinely. The tables show results from special studies of those cautioned for indictable offences in England and Wales in one sample week each in 1985, 1988 and 1991. Table 1 shows the percentage of offenders in each sample not subsequently convicted within two years of being cautioned. More detail for part of the 1991 sample on subsequent convictions and cautions for part of the 1991 sample is included in table 2.
Table 1: The proportion of offenders who had not been convicted
of a further offence within two years of being cautioned
England and Wales $\Percentages
Year of study
Age at caution |1985 |1988 |1991
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Under 18 |83 |80 |79
18 to 20 |(85) |77 |77
Table 2: The proportion of offenders who had not been
subsequently convicted or recautioned within two years of being
cautioned<1>
England and Wales
|Percentage
|neither
|Percentage |recautioned
|Percentage |not |nor
|not |subsequently |subsequently
Age at caution |recautioned |convicted |convicted
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Under 18 |69 |76 |55
18 to 20 |<2>(92) |<2>(78) |<2>(71)
<1> Based on information supplied by 10 police forces on 422 offenders
cautioned in one week on November 1991.
<2> Figures based on fewer than 50 people.
Young Offenders
Mr. Michael: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) 15, (b) 16 and (c) 17 year-old-boys were sentenced to a period of custody during (i) 1990, (ii) 1991 and (iii) 1992. [37187]
Mr. Maclean: The information is given in the table.
Number of boys aged 15, 16 and 17 sentenced to immediate custody<1> at all courts 1990 to 1992 England and Wales Age |1990 |1991 |1992 ------------------------------ 15 |477 |573 |519 16 |1,070|1,047|981 17 |2,699|2,482|2,287 <1> Detention in a young offender institution.
Combination Orders
Mr. Michael: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many combination orders were made under the provisions of the Criminal Justice Act 1991 in (a) each quarter and (b) each full year since the provisions came into force. [37183]
Mr. Maclean: The information is given in the table.
Number of combination orders<1> made by type of offence, year and
quarter 1992 to 1994<2>
England and Wales
|Summary |Summary
|Indictable |non-motoring|motoring |All
Year/quarter |offences |offences |offices |offences
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1992 |897 |103 |274 |1,274
1993 |6,090 |780 |2,070 |8,940
1994<2> |8,110 |1,080 |3,209 |12,399
1992 Q4 |897 |103 |274 |1,274
1993 Q1 |1,275 |169 |407 |1,851
Q2 |1,421 |167 |440 |1,028
Q3 |1,595 |202 |563 |2,360
Q4 |1,799 |242 |660 |2,701
1994 Q1<2> |2,137 |257 |781 |3,175
Q2<2> |1,818 |242 |766 |2,826
Q3<2> |2,135 |269 |816 |3,220
Q4<2> |2,020 |312 |846 |3,178
<1> Introduced under the Criminal Justice Act 1991 which came into effect on
1 October 1992.
<2> Provisional.
Handcuffs
Mr. Rooker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of rigid and chain link handcuffs used by police officers are manufactured in the United Kingdom. [37079]
Mr. Maclean: This information is not held centrally.
Mr. Rooker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners have suffered injury from the use of rigid handcuffs in the latest period for which figures are
available. [37078]
Mr. Maclean: This information is not held centrally. I understand that in 1994 the Police Complaints Authority received some 300 complaints about handcuffs, including both the traditional style and the rigid handcuff.
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Mr. Rooker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the effect of the use of rigid handcuffs on the level of assaults upon police officers. [37080]
Mr. Maclean: I understand that this type of handcuff is quicker to apply and provides a more effective restraint upon a prisoner than the traditional design. I have no information as to the effect of the rigid handcuff on the level of assaults on police officers.
Supervision Orders
Mr. Michael: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many supervision orders with residential requirements have been made by the courts in England and Wales since the implementation of the Children Act 1989. [37188]
Mr. Maclean: The information is given in the table.
Number of supervision orders with residential requirements<1> made
by type of court 1991<2> to 1994<3>
England and Wales
|Supervision order
|Total supervision |with residential
Type of court/Year |orders |requirement
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Magistrates court
1991 |5,948 |(2)
1992 |5,616 |164
1993 |6,987 |172
1994<3> |8,847 |226
Crown Court
1991 |339 |(2)
1992 |330 |10
1993 |308 |14
1994<3> |343 |12
All courts
1991 |6,287 |(2)
1992 |5,946 |174
1993 |7,295 |186
1994<3> |9,190 |238
<1> Introduced under provisions of Children and Young Person Act 1969,
section 12AA, as amended by Children Act 1989 which came into effect 14
October 1991.
<2> Not available. Data not collected separately for this disposal until 1
January 1992.
<3> Provisional.
SCOTLAND
Local Services
16. Mr. McMaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he next plans to meet representatives of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities to discuss local services. [36044]
Mr. Michael Forsyth: On 10 November.
Local Government Reorganisation
17. Mr. Foulkes: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he next expects to meet representatives of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities to discuss the implementation of the reorganisation of local government. [36046]
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Mr. Michael Forsyth: On 10 November.
26. Mr. Graham: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to meet the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities to discuss reorganisation of local government. [36055]
Mr. Kynoch: My right hon. Friend and I are scheduled to meet representatives of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities on 10 November as part of the normal consultation on local government finance matters.
Scottish Economy
18. Mr. Galloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he will next meet the Scottish Trades Union Congress to discuss the problems of the Scottish economy. [36047]
19. Mr. David Marshall: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to meet the General Council of the Scottish Trade Union Congress to discuss the Scottish economy; and if he will make a statement. [36048]
20. Mr. Chisholm: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he next plans to meet the Scottish Trades Union Congress to discuss the Scottish economy. [36049]
Mr. Kynoch: My right hon. Friend meets representatives of the Scottish TUC from time to time to discuss a range of issues concerning the Scottish economy. Over the summer he met STUC representatives on two such occasions.
Training
21. Mr. Worthington: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on responsibility for training in Scotland. [36050]
Mr. Raymond S. Robertson: The Secretary of State for Scotland has had responsibility for training policy and public expenditure provision for training programmes in Scotland since 1 April last year; and he exercises this responsibility within the framework of overall strategic priorities for Britain.
Local Government (Corruption and Nepotism)
22. Mr. David Shaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he proposes to take to ensure Scottish local authorities are free from corruption and nepotism. [36051]
Column 263
Mr. Kynoch: Together with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has appointed a task force to review existing mechanisms and procedures governing local government conduct in Scotland.
European Regional Fund
23. Sir David Knox: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the total value of grants that Scotland has received from the European regional fund since the fund's inception. [36052]
Mr. Kynoch: Since the inception of the European regional development fund in 1975, Scotland has benefited from awards totalling almost £1.5 billion.
Governance of Scotland
24. Mr. Canavan: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what initiatives he plans to introduce relating to the governance of Scotland. [36053]
Mr. Michael Forsyth: I am actively considering a number of measures which will improve the governance of Scotland.
Acute Service Provision, Lanarkshire
25. Mr. Ingram: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to improve the level of acute service provision in Lanarkshire. [36054]
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton: It is the responsibility of all health boards in Scotland to provide safe and efficient health care which best meets the overall needs and priorities of the population. Lanarkshire health board seeks continually to improve the full range of health services it purchases for the people of Lanarkshire.
Local Government Services
27. Mrs. Adams: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he next plans to meet the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities to discuss local government services. [36056]
Mr. Kynoch: My right hon. Friend and I are scheduled to meet representatives of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities on 10 November as part of the normal consultation on local government finance matters.
Public Transport, Fife
28. Mr. Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about the provision of public transport in Fife. [36057]
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton: The provision of public transport services in Fife is a matter for the train operating companies and the bus companies. Fife regional council also takes an active interest in promoting public transport in the area.
In February 1994, following consultation with Fife regional council, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State agreed to provide additional capital allocations of up to £8.8 million to Fife for planned improvements to rail services. The regional council and ScotRail are now taking this forward.
Column 264
The future of rail services in Fife has been contractually assured for the first time by their inclusion in the ScotRail and InterCity east coast passenger service requirements.Scottish Parliament
29. Mr. Whittingdale: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received calling for a Scottish Parliament. [36059]
Mr. Michael Forsyth: Since I assumed office as Secretary of State in July, I have received 14 letters on constitutional matters, of which only three were in support of a Scottish Parliament.
Health Boards
30. Mr. Donohoe: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he next expects to meet the chairmen of the health boards in Scotland to discuss finance. [36060]
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton: I meet chairmen of health boards regularly to discuss a wide range of strategic issues affecting the management of the NHS in Scotland. Many of those issues may have financial implications. The next such meeting will take place on 8 December 1995.
31. Mr. Ernie Ross: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met the chairman of health boards to discuss the health service [36061]
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton: I met the chairmen of all Scotland's health boards and NHS trusts on 5 October.
33. Mr. Darling: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to amend the functions of health boards in Scotland; and if he will make a statement. [36063]
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton: I have no such plans.
However, I have established a working group, chaired by Professor Sir Robert Shields, to produce and consolidate guidance on the developing roles and responsibilities of health boards. A copy of the group's remit and a list of members has been placed in the library.
Road Upgrading, Gordon
32. Mr. Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the upgrading of the A96 and A92 within the constituency of Gordon. [36062]
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton: In December 1988, I announced a comprehensive six-point plan to improve the A96 comprising dual carriageways, bypasses, increased overtaking opportunities and accident remedial measures. Bypasses have been constructed at Inverurie, Bucksburn and Lhanbryde and others have completed their public local inquiry stages. In Gordon, work is progressing on the preparation of bypasses at Kintore and Blackburn.
On the A92, good progress is being made on the preparation of the improvement between Balmedie and Tipperty. Earlier design work has been reviewed and draft orders can be published once the final phase of evaluation has been completed. Other improvements are being made on the A92 and speed cameras have been introduced to improve road safety.
Column 265
Housing (Glasgow)
34. Mr. Davidson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he intends to meet Glasgow district council to discuss housing conditions. [36064]
Mr. Raymond S. Robertson: My right hon. Friend has no plans to do so. However, one of my first visits as Housing Minister was to Easterhouse in Glasgow on 8 August 1995. I saw at first hand the problems of that estate and the significant investment programmes being devoted to tackling them. Scottish Homes expects to invest around £15 million in Easterhouse in 1995 96. The specific developments I viewed involved over 100 new or improved units costing just over £6 million.
I have also accepted invitations from the council to speak at the city housing conference on energy which is being held in November and to visit the district later in the year to see the housing conditions for myself and to learn how the council is utilising the £116 million capital resources available to it for housing investment this year. I look forward to hearing more about the council's efforts to involve the private sector in meeting Glasgow's housing needs.
Forestry Commission
Mr. Tipping: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the total number and area of Forestry Commission woods in (a) England (b) Scotland and (c) Wales sold since 1981; and, of those, the total number and area of woods in each country sold for which legal agreements were made and are currently enforceable to protect public access on foot. [37499]
Mr. Kynoch: The number and area of Forestry Commission woods sold since 1981 are as follows:
|England |Scotland|Wales
----------------------------------------------------------
Number of woods sold |986 |801 |848
Area of woods sold
(hectares) |33,629 |73,780 |16,462
The number and area of Forestry Commission woods sold since the introduction of access agreements in 1991 are as follows:
|England |Scotland|Wales
------------------------------------------------------------
Number of woods sold |185 |220 |253
Area of woods sold
(hectares) |4,037 |26,508 |4,688
Number of public access
agreements |6 |1 |16
Area covered by
agreements (hectares) |136 |20 |350
Mr. Tipping: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to publish a comprehensive guide for sale to the public of all woods owned by the Forestry Commission to which public access on foot is freely available. [37501]
Mr. Kynoch: The Forestry Commission already provides guides, leaflets and other publicity and it is considering ways of providing further information about those of its woodlands which are freely open to the public on foot.
Column 266
Monklands District Council
Lady Olga Maitland: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what further steps the Government are taking about the operation of Monklands district council. [36058]
Mr. Kynoch: The inquiry announced by the then Secretary of State, my right hon. Friend the Member for Galloway and Upper Nithsdale (Mr. Lang), on 28 June is under way and any follow-up action will be determined in the light of its conclusions.
Housing Stock (Berwickshire)
Mr. Kirkwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to be able to make a statement on the proposed transfer of Berwickshire district council's housing stock to Berwickshire housing association. [36045]
Mr. Raymond S. Robertson: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State approved Berwickshire district council's application for consent to transfer the stock on 30 August and the transfer has now been completed.
SOCIAL SECURITY
Contributions Agency
Mrs. Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if he will list (a) as at May 1994 and (b) as at the latest available date the addresses of bases of clerical staff of the Contributions Agency; [37221]
(2) what plans he has further to centralise the activities of the Contributions Agency; and if he will make a statement; [37222] (3) to what extent the Contributions Agency office at Inverness is affected by plans to centralise activities of the Contributions Agency. [37223]
Mr. Heald: The administration of the Contributions Agency is a matter for Mrs. Faith Boardman, the chief executive. She will write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Mrs. Faith Boardman to Mrs. Margaret Ewing, dated 17 October 1995:
As Chief Executive of the Contributions Agency, I have responsibility for answering questions about operational matters relating to the Agency. I have been asked to reply to your questions about the addresses of bases of the Agency's clerical staff, plans to centralise the Agency's activities and the effects on the Agency's office in Inverness of these plans. In view of the nature of the questions I have combined the responses.
The tables in Annex 1 show the offices with a clerical presence in the Agency's Field Operations in May 1994 while those at Annex 2 show the position at September 1995. In addition to our Field Operations, clerical staff were also based (both in May 1994 and September 1995) at our Centre in Newcastle and Civil Recoveries Sections in Bootle, Cardiff, Edinburgh and King's Lynn.
A recent business analysis of our Field Operations and a review of the pay and grading structure have recommended significant changes to the organisation.
In 1991, the Agency began to move towards a Field Operations network of some 184 Field Offices supported by 90 National Insurance Outsations. Current research has shown that there is a need to match more closely Contributions Agency outlets to customer requirements while still maintaining nationwide cover for the administration of the NI scheme. Information has been obtained about density of business, density of population and locations of the
Column 267
self-employed. This information has been incorporated into the design of a new network to consist of around 100 115 locations, comprising 70 75 Field Offices and 30 40 Inspector outstations, which will maintain the commitment to service delivery outlined in the Contributions Agency Contributors' and Employers' Charters. It is proposed to achieve the rationalisation of the Field Operations network within the next two to five years. There are no further plans to centralise beyond the current proposals.In Scotland, it is proposed that clerical processing work which does not require face to face contact will be centred in the major cities. A network of National Insurance Inspector outlets will be developed to provide a local service to the Agency's customers by appointment at a local office of the Department of Social Security, or by visit.
Under these proposals the Contributions Agency office at Inverness will operate as a National Insurance outlet with clerical processing at either Aberdeen or Edinburgh.
I hope that my reply proves helpful. Please let me know if I can be of any more assistance.
Contributions Agency Field Operations Clerical Processing Locations as at May 1994
Aberdare
Aberdeen North
Aberystwyth
Accrington
Acton
Airdrie
Aldershot
Andover
Ashford
Ashington
Ashton under Lyne
Aylesbury
Ayr
Balham
Banbury
Barking
Barnet
Barnsley East
Barrow
Basildon
Basingstoke
Bath
Bathgate
Bedford
Bexley
Birmingham Ladywood
Birmingham Perry Barr
Birmingham Ravenhurst
Birmingham South Yardley
Blackpool North
Blackpool South
Bloomsbury
Boston
Bournemouth
Bracknell
Bradford West
Brighton
Bristol South
Bristol West
Bristol Horfield
Brixton
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