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Probation Service
Mr. Michael: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will place a copy of his draft replacement to his Department's recruitment brochure for the probation service in the Library; [2297]
(2) when he aims to publish the replacement to his Department's recruitment brochure for the probation service "Facing up to Crime"; and what will be the total cost of the new production; [2296]
(3) if he will list the organisations he is consulting or intends to consult on his replacement for his Department's recruitment brochure for the probation service, together with the closing date for comments; and if he will place copies of all responses in the Library. [2298]
Mr. Kirkhope: An information and recruitment booklet about the work of the probation service to replace "Facing up to Crime" will be published as soon as possible, at a cost of about £45,000. The Association of Chief Officers of Probation, Central Probation Council, Association of Black Probation Officers, National Association of Asian Probation Staff, National Association of Probation Officers, Probation Managers Association and the Society of Chief Officers of Probation have been consulted, with a request to comment by 20 November. We shall place a copy of the new booklet in the Library on publication but do not propose to do so in relation to the consultative draft or the one comment on it so far submitted.
Mr. Rowe: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many probation officers are currently paid from public funds; how many have a qualification in social work; what is the age profile of the probation service; how many probation officers were recruited in 1994; and what was the age profile of these recruits. [1986]
Mr. Kirkhope: The latest available information is as follows:
At 31 March 1995 there were in post 6,041 1 main grade probation officers.
Statistics on the age profile of probation service staff, the numbers holding a social work qualification and the numbers recruited each year are not collected centrally.
Mr. Winnick:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many members of the Nigerian military entered the United Kingdom since the execution of Mr. Saro-Wiwa and his colleagues; when they entered the United Kingdom; and for what reasons. [2258]
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Mr. Kirkhope:
Statistical records are not kept of admissions by reference to occupation. However, since 24 June 1993 visas have been issued to members of the Nigerian military only in exceptional circumstances.
Ms Janet Anderson:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the European Union resolutions, to which he has been a signatory, relating to harmonisation of asylum policy among European Union member states. [1672]
Miss Widdecombe:
The following measure relating to the harmonisation of asylum policy has been adopted by the Council in accordance with the procedures established by the intergovernmental chapter--title VI--of the treaty on European Union:
1 Excludes trainee and temporary probation officers.
Immigration Ministers also agreed the following additional measures:
Resolution on minimum guarantees for asylum seekers.
Additionally the following resolutions were adopted by Immigration Ministers under the ad hoc arrangements which existed before the structures created under title VI:
Resolution on a harmonised approach to questions concerning host third countries;
Resolution on manifestly unfounded applications for asylum;
Resolution on certain common guidelines as regards the admission of particularly vulnerable groups from the former Yugoslavia.
Convention determining the state responsible for examining applications for asylum lodged in one of the member states of the European Community ("Dublin Convention");
Decision setting up CIREA--Centre of Information Discussion and Exchange on Asylum;
Conclusions concerning countries where there is generally no serious risk of persecution.
Asylum and Immigration
Mr. Fisher: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list those countries on the asylum and immigration white list. [1900]
Miss Widdecombe: My right hon. and learned Friend informed the House on 20 November, Official Report, column 336, that he will announce at an early stage during the passage of the Asylum and Immigration Bill the likely candidates for inclusion on the list of countries to be designated as not giving rise to a serious risk of persecution.
Prison Service
Ms Janet Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from the director general of the Prison Service about problems being experienced as a result of the growth in the numbers of prisoners. [1683]
Miss Widdecombe: I have regular discussions with the Director General on a wide range of Prison Service issues, including the prison population.
Illegal Immigrants
Ms Janet Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made
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of the number of employers in the United Kingdom who employ illegal immigrants; and what is the basis for this estimate. [1675]
Miss Widdecombe: No such estimates are available.
Extradition
Mr. Cann: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many British citizens have been extradited to (a) Thailand and (b) the Philippines in each year from 1979 to date, to answer charges relating to sexual activity with juveniles. [1627]
Mr. Kirkhope: There have been no extraditions from the United Kingdom to Thailand or the Philippines since 1979. Statistics regarding the extradition of British citizens are not recorded because there is no bar to extradition of United Kingdom nationals in United Kingdom law.
Prison Staff
Ms Janet Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the daily average number of prison staff absent on sick leave, as a total number and as a percentage of the total prison work force. [132]
Miss Widdecombe: Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the temporary Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from Richard Tilt to Ms Janet Anderson, dated 24 November 1995:
The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question asking what is the daily average number of prison staff absent on sick leave, as a total number and as a percentage of the total prison workforce.
The information sought is not available centrally in the form requested and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
During the six months to 30 September 1995, 4.9 per cent. of total shift hours were taken as sick leave by prison officer grades. Over the same period, a total of 31,204 staff weeks were lost due to sick absence (an average of 1200 staff weeks lost per week). There are approximately 24,500 staff in the above mentioned grades.
Prisons (Teachers)
Mr. George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the teaching staff working with prisoners are employed on a part-time basis and how many on a full-time basis; what is the average rate of pay for (a) part-time and (b) full-time teaching staff working with prisoners; and what is the average holiday entitlement for (i) part-time and (ii) full-time teaching staff working with prisoners. [395]
Miss Widdecombe: Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the temporary Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.
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