17 Jun 1997 : Column: 97
Written Answers to Questions
Tuesday 17 June 1997
HOME DEPARTMENT
Asylum Seekers
Mr. Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will review procedures related to asylum seekers from Sierra Leone and its neighbouring states. [3060]
Mr. Mike O'Brien: Following the coup in Sierra Leone on 25 May, my Department has suspended the consideration of asylum applications from Sierra Leone nationals. A review of the handling of these cases is being conducted in close cooperation with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, but no decisions will be made on these asylum applications until the situation in Sierra Leone stabilises. The independent appellate authorities have been asked to suspend all appeal hearings relating to Sierra Leone nationals, and compulsory returns of refused asylum seekers have also been suspended. No one will be returned to Sierra Leone until we are satisfied it is safe to do so.
Criminal Injuries
Mr. Mullin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what is the total amount of legal and other costs so far spent by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board regarding the claim of Mr. Norman Cobb of Sunderland. [3236]
- (2) how long has elapsed since Mr. Norman Cobb of Sunderland (a) was the victim of a criminal assault, (b) successfully applied for a judicial review of the initial decision to refuse his claim and (c) had his renewed application upheld; for what reason compensation has not been paid to him; and if he will make a sttaement. [3235]
Mr. Michael: Although the Secretary of State for the Home Department and the Secretary of State for Scotland have responsibility for general oversight of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme, Ministers have no locus to intervene in, nor do they comment on, the Board's handling of individual applications or their interpretation of the Scheme. Enquiries about individual cases should accordingly be addressed directly to the Board or, in the case of applications lodged on or after 1 April 1996, to its successor body, the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority.
However, I understand from the Board that:
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a Mr. Cobb was assaulted 6 years and 9 months ago;
b Two years and 11 months have elapsed since the judicial review in question;
c The Board's consequent re-hearing was two years and 3 months ago, since when interim payments have been made while further examination of the medical aspects has been pursued; and
d The Board's estimated costs so far are £4,900, including £3,200 incurred by the judicial review.
Performing Animals
Mr. Caplin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many certificates of registration have been issued in England and Wales under the Performing Animals Act 1925 since 1967. [3554]
Mr. George Howarth: The numbers of certificates notified are:
1977: 30
1978: 19
1979: 10
1980: 18
1981: 27
1982: 27
1983: 15
1984: 33
1985: 21
1986: 22
1987: 19
1988: 17
1989: 23
1990: 24
1991: 36
1992: 38
1993: 44
1994: 16
1995: 18
1996: 12
1997 (to 16 June): 20.
Ivy Batten Murder Case
Mr. Mullin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what date the C3 Department was informed by Devon and Cornwall police that a second witness was claiming to know the identity of the killer of Mrs. Ivy Batten; on what date this man's statement was made available to solicitors acting for Mr. Brian Parsons; and if he will make a statement. [3511]
Mr. Michael: A supplementary report on the case was completed by Devon and Cornwall Constabulary on 26 November 1996 and sent to the Home Office, although records do not show the exact date on which the report was received. A summary of the new evidence was contained in a Home Office letter to Mr. Parsons' solicitors dated 26 March 1997.
CS Mist Sprayer
Mrs. Clwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which British (a) police and (b) security forces have been issued with the Manroy L80 Manpack CS Mist Backpack Sprayer. [3587]
Mr. Michael:
This equipment has not been issued to police or security personnel, neither is this under consideration.
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Mr. Luff:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his plans to amend the law on corruption will extend to bribes offered by hon. Members and parliamentary candidates. [3212]
Mr. Michael
[holding answer 12 June 1997]: Yes.
Ms Ward:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will continue to apply the provisions announced in 1985 for ex gratia payment of compensation for wrongful conviction or charge. [4435]
Mr. Straw:
I can confirm that I shall continue to be bound by the provisions for ex-gratia payment of compensation as set out in the statement of the then Home Secretary, the right hon. Douglas Hurd to the House on 29 November 1985, Official Report, columns 691-92. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has also agreed to continue to apply these provisions.
Mr. Donohoe:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many warrants authorising the interception of telecommunications were issued by the Home Secretary under the Interception of Communications Act 1985 in 1996. [4436]
Mr. Straw:
A total of 1,073 warrants authorising the interception of communications were issued by the then Home Secretary, the right hon. and learned Member for Folkestone and Hythe, in 1996. This figure is contained in the report of the Interception of Communications Commissioner which was published on 12 June. I regret that the answer given to my hon. Friend on 11 March, Official Report, column 148, gave an incorrect number.
Mr. Cawsey:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the task force on youth justice. [4437]
Mr. Straw:
The role of the Task Force on Youth Justice is to advise Home Office Ministers on Government proposals for the development of youth justice policies and, in particular, to provide advice on taking forward an action plan as agreed by the interdepartmental Ministerial group on Youth Justice.
The Task Force may provide advice to the Home Secretary on policy papers prepared by Government officials for consideration by the Ministerial group and may propose to the Home Secretary action on any other youth justice issue.
The members of the task force are:
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Mr. Letwin:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to permit the shooting of wild boar in self-defence. [3921]
Ms Angela Eagle:
I have been asked to reply.
Current legislation does not prohibit anyone that legally owns a firearm from shooting a wild boar.
Shona McIsaac:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will end the practice of private slimming clinics prescribing slimming pills. [3555]
Ms Jowell:
The prescribing of slimming pills is the clinical responsibility of physicians, whether in the national health service or in private clinics. A recent report by the Royal College of Physicians provides guidance for practitioners on the use of slimming pills in the treatment of obesity.
Norman Warner: Senior Policy Adviser, Home Office (Chairman).
William Atkinson: Headmaster, Phoenix High School, Shepherds Bush.
Jonathan Black: Magistrates' Clerk, Hampshire.
Catherine Bowker: Youth Court Prosecutor, Brighton.
Tony Butler: Chief Constable, Gloucestershire.
Paul Cavadino: Penal Affairs Consortium.
Anne Fuller: Lay Magistrate, Inner London.
Cedric Fullwood: Chief Probation Officer, Manchester.
Ian Johnston: Assistant Commissioner, Metropolitan Police.
David Norgrove: Marks and Spencer plc.
Denise Platt: Local Government Association.
Teresa Reynolds: Victim Support.
Joan Webster: Chief Superintendent, Gwent.
Geoffrey Wicks: Stipendiary Magistrate, Inner London.
Andrew Williamson: Director of Social Services, Devon.
John Lyon: Home Office.
Tom Luce: Department of Health.
Jenny Rowe: Lord Chancellor's Department.
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