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Handguns (Compensation)
Miss Kirkbride: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the total paid out to date in compensation under the terms of the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997 compensation scheme; what are the projections for future expenditure; and what additional compensation will be given to those whose payments have been delayed. [24511]
Mr. Michael: As at 16 January, £30.3 million had been paid. The estimate for the total cost of the compensation schemes under the two 1997 Acts, including administration costs, is £166 million. No payments have been "delayed". It has been made clear from the start that the size and complexity of the compensation arrangements would make this a long process and this Government, like the previous Government, argued in the debates that no guarantees could be given that payments would be made within a particular timescale. The House accepted that position, and accordingly there are no arrangements in the schemes for the payment of additional sums if claims are not settled within a given time. Everything possible is being done to process claims in the shortest possible time. Weekend overtime is being worked, casual staff have been appointed and data processing staff have been introduced to enter the payment details on to the computer system, allowing the trained examiners more time to spend on processing the claims. We can understand the impatience of those awaiting settlement of their claims, but the position is not helped by the volume of inquiries pressing for early payment, which simply divert staff from their primary task of processing claims, thereby hampering the efforts to reduce turn-round times.
Mr. Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will defer the surrender date of handguns under the Firearms (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 1997, until all outstanding compensation has been paid for handguns surrendered under the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997; [25198]
- (2) what action he is taking to expedite the payment of compensation for owners of handguns; and if he will pay interest on all sums not paid within 30 days of surrender. [25072]
Mr. Michael
[holding answer 23 January 1998]: It has been made clear from the start that the size and complexity of the compensation arrangements would make this a long process, and this Government, like the previous Government, argued in the debates that no guarantees could be given that payments would be made within a particular timescale. The House accepted that position, and accordingly there are no arrangements in the schemes for the payment of additional sums if claims are not settled within a given time.
Everything possible is being done to process claims in the shortest possible time. Weekend overtime is being worked, casual staff have been appointed and data processing staff have been introduced to enter the payment details on to the computer system, allowing the trained examiners more time to spend on processing the claims.
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We can understand the impatience of those awaiting settlement of their claims, but the position is not helped by the volume of inquiries pressing for early payment, which simply divert staff from their primary task of processing claims, thereby hampering the efforts to reduce turn-round times.
Arrangements for the surrender of small-calibre pistols during February are well advanced and by now most certificate holders and dealers will have received details about where and when to hand in their firearms. There are no plans to defer the surrender period. There is no reason to do so and it would cause massive confusion for the police, for shooters and for the general public.
Mr. McDonnell:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will list by police authority the number of police officers suspended from duty (a) pending and (b) during a disciplinary inquiry in (i) 1995-96 and (ii) 1996-97; [24588]
(3) if he will list by police authority the number of police officers taking early retirement (a) during and (b) following an inquiry into disciplinary matters relating to them since 1995; [24590]
(4) if he will list the cost of inquiries into disciplinary matters and complaints against the police by police authority in (a) 1995-96 and (b) 1996-97. [24587]
Mr. Michael:
Police disciplinary and complaints procedures are managed locally by individual police forces. At present, the information requested is not available centrally. I have today requested this information from each of the 43 police forces in England and Wales. When I have the responses, I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.
Mr. Cox:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many new prisons are at present under construction; where they are sited; and when they are due to be completed. [25436]
Ms Quin:
There are no prisons under construction at present: construction of the most recently built prison, Her Majesty's Prison Lowdham Grange, which is situated eight miles north-east of Nottingham, was completed on 23 January. It is due to receive prisoners on 16 February 1998.
Mr. Beith:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the results of random mandatory drug testing of prisoners for April to June 1997 and July to September 1997, showing for each establishment the number of tests done, the number of prisoners testing positive for opiates and the number of prisoners testing positive for cannabis in the 13 prisons in which an interview based survey about injectable drug use and HIV risk behaviours was carried out in 1994-95. [25056]
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Mr. George Howarth:
The tables give the results of random mandatory drug tests for the 13 prisons in which the survey about injectable drug use and HIV risk behaviours was carried out in 1994-95.
(2) if he will list by police authority the average length of time taken in respect of inquiries into police discipline since 1995; [24589]
| Number of tests | Number positive for opiates | Number positive for cannabis | |
|---|---|---|---|
| April to June 1997 | |||
| Belmarsh | 155 | 3 | 4 |
| Bristol | 170 | 4 | 39 |
| Cardiff | 215 | 2 | 57 |
| Highpoint | 51 | 3 | 13 |
| Kingston | 35 | 0 | 2 |
| Lancaster | 72 | 8 | 23 |
| Liverpool | 219 | 22 | 32 |
| Maidstone | 173 | 8 | 28 |
| Stafford | 193 | 9 | 38 |
| Wealstun(7) | 149 | 9 | 45 |
| Whitemoor | 153 | 10 | 21 |
| Woodhill | 198 | 9 | 50 |
| Wymott | 168 | 18 | 12 |
| July to September 1997 | |||
| Belmarsh | 162 | 0 | 10 |
| Bristol | 170 | 11 | 36 |
| Cardiff | 119 | 1 | 30 |
| Highpoint | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Kingston | 24 | 0 | 3 |
| Lancaster | 67 | 9 | 22 |
| Liverpool | 360 | 38 | 49 |
| Maidstone | 166 | 5 | 13 |
| Stafford | 155 | 11 | 18 |
| Wealstun(7) | 168 | 4 | 44 |
| Whitemoor | 152 | 3 | 9 |
| Woodhill | 195 | 13 | 36 |
| Wymott | 122 | 6 | 10 |
(7) Rudgate has amalgamated with Thorp Arch to form Wealstun prison since the survey was conducted.
Mr. Beith: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the results from random mandatory drugs testing of prisoners for April to June 1997 and July to September 1997, showing for each establishment the number of tests done, the number of prisoners testing positive for opiates and the number of prisoners testing positive for cannabis, for the eight prisons that are participating in willing anonymous salivary HIV/Hepatitis B surveillance studies. [25055]
Mr. George Howarth: The tables give the results of random mandatory drug tests for the eight prisons that are participating in the willing anonymous salivary HIV/Hepatitis B surveillance studies.
26 Jan 1998 : Column: 44
Special Constables
Mrs. May: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the role of special constables. [24583]
Mr. Michael: Special constables are unpaid volunteers who serve as police officers in their spare time. They are fully trained and have the same powers as a regular constable.
The Special Constabulary exist to assist the work of regular officers, not to replace them. They are an additional resource, which also encourage the public to get involved in tackling crime. Special constables are principally deployed on foot patrol, providing a higher visibility on the streets, but they also undertake a wide variety of policing duties.
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