19 Feb 1997 : Column: 547
Written Answers to Questions
Wednesday 19 February 1997
HOME DEPARTMENT
Prison Births
Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what decision has been made about whether, in the event of Roisin McAliskey giving birth while in custody, she will be handcuffed to a birthing partner or prison officer while the child is being delivered; [15636]
- (2) if the change in policy whereby a prisoner is not handcuffed or otherwise restrained during labour and birth of her child applies to category A prisoners. [15637]
Miss Widdecombe [holding answers 17 February 1997]: Responsibility for these matters 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 Richard Tilt to Mr. Kevin McNamara, dated 19 February 1997:
The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Questions about the use of restraints during childbirth.
The Home Secretary in his statement of 18 January 1996 made it clear that no woman admitted to hospital to give birth would be restrained while in hospital.
This includes Roisin McAliskey and any other category A prisoners.
Criminal Record Checks
Mr. Michael: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in England and Wales, how many criminal record checks were carried out on behalf of (a) local authorities, (b) health bodies, (c) independent schools, (d) grant-maintained schools, (e) further education establishments, (f) voluntary organisations and (g) nursery groups by each police force in England and Wales under the child protection arrangements, pursuant to Home Office circular 47/93 for each year ended 31 March from 1993 to 1996; and in each case how many checks revealed a criminal conviction. [16584]
Mr. Maclean: This information is not available centrally in the form requested. The total number of criminal record checks carried out on behalf of local authorities, statutory health bodies, independent schools, grant-maintained schools and further education establishments under the child protection arrangements outlined in Home Office circular 47/93 for the years ended 31 March 1993 to 31 March 1996, and the number of those checks which revealed a criminal conviction, was as follows:
| Year | Total number of checks | Number revealing convictions(1) |
|---|---|---|
| 1993 | 654,472 | 33,894 |
| 1994 | 609,434 | 38,162 |
| 1995 | 607,573 | 39,679 |
| 1996 | 613,163 | 38,809 |
(1) Not all forces were able to provide details of the number of checks which revealed convictions.
19 Feb 1997 : Column: 548
No figures are available on the number of criminal record checks carried out for voluntary organisations or on people working in nursery groups.
Mr. Michael:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his policy is on the frequency of checks on individuals under the child protection arrangements, pursuant to Home Office circular 47/93. [16585]
Mr. Maclean:
Home Office circular 47/93 advises that in the case of agency staff employed by a local authority or health authority a check should be regarded as valid for three years. There is no recommendation that other staff should be rechecked at regular intervals.
Mr. Michael:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the number of enhanced criminal record checks which will be undertaken in the year to 31 March 1999 under the arrangements to be established under the Police Bill [Lords]. [16587]
Mr. Maclean:
It was originally estimated that, when the Criminal Records Agency became fully operational, it would issue around 1.3 million enhanced criminal record certificates each year. The Police Bill [Lords], as amended, provides for free checks for volunteers which we expect would increase demand for these certificates.
Mr. Michael:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if payments are made by local education authorities and social services authorities to police forces for criminal record checks. [16590]
Mr. Michael:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the unit costs to (i) police authorities and (ii) local authorities of each criminal record check made in respect of child protection, pursuant to Home Office circular 47/93. [16591]
Mr. Maclean:
There are wide variations in the cost of criminal record checks across police forces. It is estimated that, on average, it costs a police force £6.35 to carry out a criminal record check. It is not possible to break the figures down in order to identify the costs of child protection checks, although these will be higher than the average. Information is not available on the costs incurred by local authorities.
Mr. Michael:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements are in place for checking employees and volunteers working with people under 19 years who are not eligible for checks under arrangements made pursuant to Home Office circulars 47/93 and 92/117; what categories of individual are not covered by the arrangements under these two circulars; and what is the estimated number of individuals in these categories. [16593]
19 Feb 1997 : Column: 549
Mr. Maclean:
There are no formal arrangements for checking employees and volunteers working with people under 19 years of age who are not eligible for checks under the arrangements set out in Home Office circulars 47/93 and 42/94. Home Office circular 42/94 replaced 117/92 which has been cancelled. However, in 1993, the Home Office published a code of practice entitled "Safe from Harm" which offers voluntary organisations that work with children, but are not covered by the terms of the Home Office circulars, guidance on good policy and practice in areas such as recruitment, supervision and management of staff. Copies of "Safe from Harm" are in the Library.
The main categories of individual not covered by the arrangements set out in the two circulars are employees and volunteers working for voluntary or private child-care organisations.
It is not known exactly how many individuals are excluded from checking under the current arrangements but it is estimated that about 700,000 extra people would be eligible to apply for the enhanced criminal record certificates proposed in the Police Bill [Lords].
Mr. Chris Davies:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what liaison he has had with the Association of Chief Police Officers and the Secretary of State for National Heritage since 5 December 1996 in respect of ensuring the continued success of road running; and if he will make a statement. [16234]
Mr. Maclean:
None. The police's approach towards road running races and other events held on the public highway is an operational matter and one for chief officers of police and the Association of Chief Police Officers.
19 Feb 1997 : Column: 550
I understand that, because of concerns about the safety of all road users, including race participants, and the inconvenience that can be caused to other road users, the association encourages organisations to undertake such events away from the highway.
Mr. Nigel Evans:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many police there were in Lancashire in (a) 1996 and (b) 1979; [16150]
Mr. Maclean:
The information available is set out in the table:
(2) how much was spent by his Department on the police in Lancashire in (a) 1996 and (b) 1979. [16149]
| Lancashire Constabulary | (2)1979-80 | (3)1996-97 |
|---|---|---|
| Police Numbers | 3,089 | 3,203 |
| Expenditure (£ million)(4) | 37.289 | 163.563 |
(2) Police numbers as at 31 December 1979.
(3) Police numbers as at 30 September 1996.
(4) Expenditure includes police grant, revenue support grant and locally raised taxes.
Police (London)
Mr. Congdon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the number of police officers in London per 10,000 population, by borough using 1991 census data, as at 1 January in each of the last five years.[15968]
Mr. Maclean:
The information requested is given in the two following tables. Officers based at headquarters and at Heathrow have not been included.
19 Feb 1997 : Column: 549
19 Feb 1997 : Column: 551
| Outer London | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Borough and division | Strength | Census population | Number of officers per 10,000 population | Strength | Census population | Number of officers per 10,000 population | Strength | Census population | Number of officers per 10,000 population |
| Barking and Dagenham | |||||||||
| Barking and Dagenham | 304.6 | 143,681 | 21.20 | 303.2 | 143,681 | 21.10 | 299.85 | 143,681 | 20.87 |
| Barnet | |||||||||
| Barnet(5) | 790.85 | 293,564 | 26.94 | 752.55 | 293,564 | 25.63 | 736.06 | 293,564 | 25.07 |
| Golders Green | |||||||||
| West Hendon | |||||||||
| Bexley | |||||||||
| Bexleyheath | 285 | 215,615 | 13.22 | 295.5 | 215,615 | 13.70 | 287.3 | 215,615 | 13.32 |
| Brent | |||||||||
| Wembley | 651.98 | 243,025 | 26.83 | 617.74 | 243,025 | 25.42 | 639.86 | 243,025 | 26.33 |
| Kilburn | |||||||||
| Bromley | |||||||||
| Bromley | 500.43 | 290,609 | 17.22 | 490.44 | 290,609 | 16.88 | 471.44 | 290,609 | 16.22 |
| Orpington | |||||||||
| Croydon | |||||||||
| Croydon | 623.8 | 313,510 | 19.90 | 633.88 | 313,510 | 20.22 | 625.34 | 313,510 | 19.95 |
| South Norwood | |||||||||
| Ealing | |||||||||
| Ealing | 643.86 | 275,257 | 23.39 | 660.64 | 275,257 | 24.00 | 645.47 | 275,257 | 23.45 |
| Southall | |||||||||
| Enfield | |||||||||
| Edmonton | 543.6 | 257,417 | 21.12 | 545.48 | 257,417 | 21.19 | 553.88 | 257,417 | 21.52 |
| Enfield(5) | |||||||||
| Greenwich | |||||||||
| Greenwich | 573.2 | 207,650 | 27.60 | 623.31 | 207,650 | 30.02 | 622.85 | 207,650 | 30.00 |
| Plumstead | |||||||||
19 Feb 1997 : Column: 553
| Outer London | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Borough and division | Strength | Census population | Number of officers per 10,000 population | Strength | Census population | Number of officers per 10,000 population | Strength | Census population | Number of officers per 10,000 population |
| Harrow | |||||||||
| Harrow | 272.2 | 200,100 | 13.60 | 293.8 | 200,100 | 14.68 | 283.4 | 200,100 | 14.6 |
| Havering | |||||||||
| Romford | 377.17 | 229,492 | 16.43 | 363.49 | 229,492 | 15.84 | 351.05 | 229,492 | 15.30 |
| Hillingdon | |||||||||
| Hillingdon | 439.5 | 231,602 | 18.98 | 437 | 231,602 | 18.87 | 418.7 | 231,602 | 18.08 |
| Hounslow | |||||||||
| Chiswick | 466.3 | 204,397 | 22.81 | 484.2 | 204,397 | 23.69 | 470 | 204,397 | 22.99 |
| Hounslow | |||||||||
| Kingston | |||||||||
| Kingston(5) | 373.14 | 132,996 | 28.06 | 393.34 | 132,996 | 29.58 | 362.24 | 132,996 | 27.24 |
| Merton | |||||||||
| Wimbledon | 354.45 | 168,470 | 21.04 | 334.85 | 168,470 | 19.88 | 325.25 | 168,470 | 19.31 |
| Redbridge | |||||||||
| Ilford | 553.89 | 226,218 | 24.48 | 545.1 | 226,218 | 24.10 | 552 | 226,218 | 24.40 |
| Barkingside(5) | |||||||||
| Richmond | |||||||||
| Richmond | 297.45 | 160,732 | 18.51 | 319.85 | 160,732 | 19.90 | 295.85 | 160,732 | 18.41 |
| Sutton | |||||||||
| Sutton(5) | 428.9 | 168,880 | 25.40 | 431.38 | 168,880 | 25.54 | 405.23 | 168,880 | 24.00 |
| Spelthorne | |||||||||
| Spelthorne | 199.2 | 89,987 | 22.14 | 199.8 | 89,987 | 22.20 | 198.2 | 89,987 | 22.03 |
| Waltham Forest | |||||||||
| Chingford | 487.2 | 212,033 | 22.98 | 463.3 | 212,033 | 21.85 | 477.22 | 212,033 | 22.51 |
| Leyton | |||||||||
Note:
(5) Officer strength shown for these divisions includes provision for policing parts of the borough situated in the counties of Hertfordshire, Surrey or Essex.
19 Feb 1997 : Column: 555
| Inner London | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Borough and division | Strength | Census population | Number of officers per 10,000 population | Strength | Census population | Number of officers per 10,000 population | Strength | Census population | Number of officers per 10,000 population |
| Camden | |||||||||
| Hampstead | 703.9 | 170,444 | 41.30 | 698.76 | 170,444 | 41.00 | 681.95 | 170,444 | 40.41 |
| Kentish Town | |||||||||
| Holborn | |||||||||
| Hackney | |||||||||
| Shoreditch | 693.18 | 181,248 | 38.24 | 659.54 | 181,248 | 36.39 | 676.04 | 181,248 | 37.30 |
| Stoke Newington | |||||||||
| Hammersmith and Fulham | |||||||||
| Hammersmith | 545.2 | 148,502 | 36.71 | 533.13 | 148,502 | 35.90 | 561.25 | 148,502 | 37.79 |
| Fulham | |||||||||
| Haringey | |||||||||
| Hornsey | 579.95 | 202,204 | 28.68 | 544.6 | 202,204 | 26.93 | 535 | 202,204 | 26.46 |
| Tottenham | |||||||||
| Islington | |||||||||
| Holloway | 567.9 | 164,686 | 34.48 | 562 | 164,686 | 34.13 | 569.6 | 164,686 | 34.59 |
| Islington | |||||||||
| Kensington and Chelsea | |||||||||
| Brompton | 616.83 | 138,394 | 44.57 | 604.4 | 138,394 | 43.67 | 642.4 | 138,394 | 46.42 |
| Notting Hill | |||||||||
| Lambeth | |||||||||
| Brixton | 1,003.05 | 244,834 | 40.97 | 969.81 | 244,834 | 39.61 | 967.3 | 244,834 | 39.51 |
| Streatham | |||||||||
| Vauxhall | |||||||||
| Lewisham | |||||||||
| Catford | 598.3 | 230,983 | 25.90 | 642.6 | 230,983 | 27.82 | 626.3 | 230,983 | 27.11 |
| Lewisham | |||||||||
| Newham | |||||||||
| Forest Gate | 623.08 | 212,170 | 29.37 | 626.68 | 212,170 | 29.54 | 625.88 | 212,170 | 29.50 |
| Plaistow | |||||||||
| Inner London | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Borough and division | Strength | Census population | Number of officers per 10,000 population | Strength | Census population | Number of officers per 10,000 population | Strength | Census population | Number of officers per 10,000 population |
| Southwark | |||||||||
| Southwark | 886 | 218,541 | 40.54 | 816.65 | 218,541 | 37.37 | 849.78 | 218,541 | 38.88 |
| Peckham | |||||||||
| Walworth | |||||||||
| Tower Hamlets | |||||||||
| Whitechapel | 722 | 161,064 | 44.83 | 669 | 161,064 | 41.54 | 690 | 161,064 | 42.84 |
| Limehouse | |||||||||
| Wandsworth | |||||||||
| Battersea | 719 | 252,425 | 28.48 | 671.6 | 252,425 | 26.61 | 693.3 | 252,425 | 27.47 |
| Wandsworth | |||||||||
| Westminster | |||||||||
| Belgravia | 1881 | 174,814 | 107.60 | 1905.85 | 174,814 | 109.02 | 1901.2 | 174,814 | 108.76 |
| West End Central | |||||||||
| Charing Cross | |||||||||
| Marylebone | |||||||||
| Paddington | |||||||||
| Total | 19,276.00 | 6,765,544 | 28.49 | 18,589.93 | 6,765,544 | 27.48 | 18,863.17 | 6,765,544 | 27.88 |
| Inner London | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Borough and division | Strength | Census Population | Number of officers per 10,000 population | Strength | Census Population | Number of officers per 10,000 population | Strength | Census Population | Number of officers per 10,000 population |
| Southwark | |||||||||
| Southwark | 871.47 | 218,541 | 39.88 | 902.86 | 218,541 | 41.31 | 878.16 | 218,541 | 40.18 |
| Peckham | |||||||||
| Walworth | |||||||||
| Tower Hamlets | |||||||||
| Whitechapel | 633.7 | 161,064 | 39.34 | 613.7 | 161,064 | 38.10 | 596.4 | 161,064 | 37.03 |
| Limehouse | |||||||||
| Wandsworth | |||||||||
| Battersea | 647.78 | 252,425 | 25.66 | 638.18 | 252,425 | 25.28 | 662.28 | 252,425 | 26.24 |
| Wandsworth | |||||||||
| Westminster | |||||||||
| Belgravia | 1799.55 | 174,814 | 102.94 | 1714.55 | 174,814 | 98.08 | 1700.66 | 174,814 | 97.28 |
| West End Central | |||||||||
| Charring Cross | |||||||||
| Marylebone | |||||||||
| Paddington | |||||||||
| Total | 19,050.61 | 6,765,544 | 28.16 | 18,899.66 | 6,765,544 | 27.94 | 18744.31 | 6,765,544 | 27.71 |
19 Feb 1997 : Column: 557
Mr. Congdon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the number of police officers as at 1 January in each of the last five years in each police division in London, sub-totalled (a) on an area and (b) on a borough basis and in total. [15967]
Mr. Maclean: The information requested is given in two tables, which reflect the restructuring of the Metropolitan Police in 1994 when the number of areas was reduced from eight to five. Officers based at headquarters and at Heathrow have not been included. Copies of these tables have been placed in the Library.
Sir Irvine Patnick:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list for each of the last three years and for 1979 the total number of police officers in each Metropolitan police area; and if he will make a statement. [15227]
19 Feb 1997 : Column: 558
| Numbers of Police Officers | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forces | May 1979 | September 1994 | September 1995 | September 1996 |
| Greater Manchester | 6,440 | 6,949 | 7,026 | 6,961 |
| Merseyside | 4,441 | 4,690 | 4,536 | 4,271 |
| Northumbria | 3,285 | 3,592 | 3,611 | 3,693 |
| South Yorkshire | 2,560 | 3,029 | 3,041 | 3,128 |
| West Midlands | 6,031 | 6,981 | 7,078 | 7,203 |
| West Yorkshire | 4,739 | 5,039 | 5,122 | 5,154 |
Mr. John Marshall: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what will be the total cost of public funds of the Metropolitan police in 1997-98; and if he will make a statement. [16950]
Mr. Howard:
As police authority for the Metropolitan police district. I have approved estimates which provide for net revenue expenditure of £1,741.437 million in 1997-98.
19 Feb 1997 : Column: 559
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