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Domestic Violence
Mr. Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the Government's policy for tackling domestic violence; what measures his Department proposes to implement its policy; which of his Department's responsibilities in this area will be transferred to the Department of Social Security; and if he will make a statement. [7568]
Mr. Michael: We are currently examining the policies operating in this area, with a view to ensuring that we have an effective strategy against domestic and sexual violence. This strategy will take full account of our commitments to tackling crime in general, and to promoting equality and opportunity for women.
Domestic violence is a serious and widespread crime which threatens many people in society, mainly women. Domestic violence is unacceptable in itself. It also impacts on many areas of the lives of victims--housing, health, education--and on the freedom to live their life without fear. The Government are committed to tackling domestic violence on every front.
We have no plans to transfer to the Department of Social Security any of our responsibilities pertaining to domestic violence. My right hon. Friend, the Minister for Women, will be closely involved in the development and implementation of policies on domestic violence, as will colleagues from other Government Departments with an interest in this area.
Mr. Baker:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance his Department gives as to the maximum acceptable journey time for the transportation of non-human primates involved in or destined for animal experimentation. [8217]
Mr. George Howarth:
No such guidance is given but, in considering whether to give approval for the acquisition of non-human primates from overseas sources for use under the terms of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, the Home Office takes into account journey times, the mode of transport and the route by which the animals are imported.
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Mr. Baker:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of his Department's inspectors have been employed as at 1 June in each year since 1987 to monitor animal experiments currently carried out in United Kingdom research laboratories. [8164]
Mr. Howarth:
Figures for 1 June each year are not readily available, but the number of inspectors as at 31 December is published annually in "Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals, Great Britain". The figures are as follows:
Mr. Baker:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he has taken in respect of the contents of the Channel 4 programme of 26 March, "It's a Dog's Life," as they relate to Huntingdon Life Sciences.[8469]
Mr. Howarth:
The Home Office took prompt and firm action. The personal licences of two individuals seen hitting and shaking dogs in the programme were immediately suspended and then formally revoked at the earliest opportunity allowed by the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. The local police were also asked by the Home Office to investigate possible offences under the Protection of Animals Act 1911 and I understand that individuals have now been charged.
The Chief Inspector, who heads the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Inspectorate, has carried out a detailed and thorough investigation into all the allegations made in the Channel 4 programme and the wider issue of the management and control of animal work within the establishment concerned. We expect to receive a comprehensive report before the end of July.
The Animal Procedures Committee has endorsed the action taken by the Home Office and the nature and form of the investigation. The Committee has been kept fully informed of the progress and findings of this investigation and has been given the opportunity to advise about further action to be taken.
Mr. Hancock:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research his Department has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the impact of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 on the number of tests which are conducted on alternatives to animals.[7924]
Mr. Howarth:
Tests which do not use animals are not regulated by the Home Office and information on the number of such tests is not, therefore, available.
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The Home Office makes funds available through the Animal Procedures Committee to sponsor research into alternatives. A summary of the grants made and the outcome of the sponsored research is presented in the Committee's annual report.
Mr. Laurence Robertson:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his Department's policy on issuing identity cards for the purpose of proving the ages of young people when purchasing alcohol. [8527]
Mr. George Howarth:
As chairman of the Ministerial Group on Alcopops. I have had urgent talks with the drinks industry and other interests about tackling underage drinking. Among the issues which the group is considering is the use of proof of age cards. I shall make an announcement later this month.
Mr. Vaz:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received regarding the London office and activities of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. [7166]
Mr. Straw:
I have received one letter from a member of the public concerning the activities of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.
Kate Hoey:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will make a decision on a byelaw to ban pigeon feeding in public places. [7465]
Mr. George Howarth:
We are not persuaded that a byelaw to prohibit the feeding of pigeons in public places is justified. To create a criminal offence would be a disproportionate response and would criminalise otherwise law-abiding people.
Local authorities already have powers under part IV of the Public Health Act 1961 to take steps to abate or mitigate any nuisance, annoyance or damage caused by the congregation of pigeons in any built-up area.
Mr. Fearn:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to alleviate the cost burden from individual police authorities of extra policing during party conferences of (a) the Government party and (b) other parties. [8170]
Mr. Michael:
Sussex police authority has been offered an additional £750,000 to help meet the costs of safeguarding national security at the Labour party conference in Brighton in October. Lancashire police authority has been offered a similar amount towards the costs of policing the Conservative party conference in Blackpool. No applications for additional funds have been received from police authorities in England and Wales in whose areas the conferences of other parties are to be held.
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Dr. Lynne Jones:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of people strip searched in the custody of police (a) were not charged with any offence and (b) were not subsequently convicted of any offence. [8541]
Mr. Michael:
The information requested is not collected centrally. Statistics collected centrally record the number of intimate searches carried out in police custody. An intimate search consists of the physical examination of a person's body orifices other than the mouth. Provisional figures for 1996 show that 132 intimate searches were recorded by police forces in England and Wales. The confirmed figure will be published later this year. Statistics held centrally do not show how many of those subject to intimate searches were charged with an offence. Strip searches, which involve the removal of more than outer clothing, are not separately reported centrally.
Mr. Beith:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to (a) revoke and (b) amend S.I., 1995 No. 2622, relating to the qualification required to be a probation officer. [8427]
Ms Joyce Quin:
I refer the right hon. Member to the reply I gave to a question from the hon. Member for Daventry (Mr. Boswell) on 7 July, Official Report, column 369.
Mr. Malins:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy to ensure that prison officers are subject to the same search policy before coming on duty as applies to visitors to prisoners.[8568]
Mr. George Howarth:
No. Where rub-down searches are deployed, my right hon. Friend has just announced that professional visitors, including prison officers, will be subject to a modified search, while general visitors will continue to be subject to the full rub-search procedure. This is following a Prison Service assessment that while there are exceptions, professional visitors and staff generally pose a lower level of risk.
There are currently 17 inspectors in post and one vacancy which is expected to be filled in September.
1987: 19
1988: 19
1989: 18
1990: 19
1991: 19
1992: 21
1993: 20
1994: 19
1995: 18
1996: 17.
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