| Previous Section | Index | Home Page |
Police Vehicles
Dr. Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research his Department has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the need for and use of rapid response by police vehicles. [86200]
Mr. Boateng: No research on this precise subject has been commissioned. The only recent research in this area of police work was conducted by the Home Office Police Research Group who published in 1997 the results of a study of deaths and serious injuries resulting from police vehicle accidents. It found that three police activities accounted for 88 per cent. of fatal accidents--45 per cent. were during pursuit/follow situations; 23 per cent. arose during responses to emergency calls and 20 per cent. were routine patrol cases. This research was used by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) in its recent report and recommendations on police pursuit training.
Dr. Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what were the average response times of police cars to emergency calls in the last year for which figures are available. [86201]
Mr. Boateng: The information requested is not available centrally, but in 1997-98, in England and Wales, 88 per cent. of police immediate responses to incidents were within the targets set by forces.
Dr. Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the rules governing blue light police car responses. [86202]
Mr. Boateng: This is an operational matter for chief officers of police. There is a nationally agreed Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) Pursuit Code of Practice and work is going forward to implement recommendations from the recent ACPO report on police pursuit driver training. One of the recommendations in the ACPO report is that all police vehicles that engage in pursuits and emergency response should be equipped with both sirens and emergency blue lights. Such equipment should be used in all but exceptional circumstances. It is already policy to consider continuously the consequences of a pursuit and whether to break it off.
National Identification Service
Dr. Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the current applications process for police checks in the National Identification Service; and if he will make a statement. [86199]
Kate Hoey:
The Metropolitan Police Service's Character Enquiries section, which is based in the National Identification Service, carries out pre-employment vetting checks in accordance with administrative arrangements agreed between the Home Office and the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO). New arrangements for criminal record checks, which will address the limitations of the current system, were included in Part V of the Police Act 1997. The various checks provided for in the Act will be undertaken by the new Criminal Records Bureau which is in the process of being established.
11 Jun 1999 : Column: 432
Mr. Clappison:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 25 May 1999, Official Report, column 80, what factors underlay his decision to select Nottingham Prison for the location of accommodation for offenders previously convicted of offences against children; and what other prisons were considered. [85906]
Mr. Boateng
[holding answer 8 June 1999]: A wide range of factors were taken into account when considering the suitability of Her Majesty's Prison Nottingham for housing offenders and ex-offenders, including the need to ensure easy access to high quality local services such as the regular presence of experienced Probation and Social Services staff and a police force which is able to respond quickly and effectively. Such services are most easily available in towns and cities.
In considering which prison would be appropriate, options across the prison estate were taken into account.
Mr. Clappison:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has further to publicise the decision to accommodate offenders previously convicted of offences involving children in Nottingham Prison. [86103]
Mr. Boateng:
Consultation with the relevant local agencies and interested people continues. My right hon. and noble Friend Lord Williams will be meeting representatives from Nottingham on Monday 14 June 1999.
Mr. Clappison:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consultations (a) he has carried out and (b) he proposes to carry out concerning his plan to accommodate offenders previously convicted of offences involving children in Nottingham Prison. [86104]
Mr. Boateng:
The responsibility for managing the risk that ex-offenders present lies with local agencies. The plans in respect of Nottingham prison have been discussed with local Members of Parliament and they will be kept informed of progress. My right hon. and noble Friend Lord Williams will be meeting representatives from Nottingham on Monday 14 June 1999.
Mr. Coaker:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance he has issued to local authorities on what constitutes anti-social behaviour under the behaviour orders under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998; how he will monitor the (a) use and (b) effectiveness of (i) behaviour orders, (ii) curfews and (iii) parenting orders; and what action he will take to encourage the use of such orders by (1) the police and (2) local authorities. [85671]
Mr. Boateng:
We published comprehensive guidance on the use of anti-social behaviour orders earlier this year "Crime and Disorder Act 1998: Anti-Social Behaviour Orders--Guidance". This included guidance on the types of case in which such orders might be considered. A review of the use and effectiveness of anti-social behaviour orders is planned during the first two years of their availability.
11 Jun 1999 : Column: 433
The local child curfew scheme will help address the problems of unsupervised children who are out on the streets late at night, and who may be involved in anti-social behaviour.
We intend to carry out a monitoring exercise of the local child curfew scheme to assess how the practical arrangements work in those areas which decide to operate such a scheme. This will help identify good practice, particularly in the area of multi-agency working, which will be required for the enforcement arrangements.
The parenting order is the subject of an 18-month pilot scheme, which began on 30 September 1993. This involves monitoring and evaluating the use made of the order. The results of the pilot project will inform the process of national implementation and help to identify good practice which can be reflected in guidance and national standards.
The decision to apply for anti-social behaviour orders or local child curfew schemes is one which must be taken by the police or local authority as appropriate, but we shall continue to encourage their use whenever the
11 Jun 1999 : Column: 434
opportunity to do so arises. Parenting orders are available to the courts and do not depend upon any application being made by either the police or the local authority.
Mr. Cohen:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received relating to the reliability of CCTV cameras in providing evidence in speeding cases. [86027]
Mr. Boateng:
We have received no representations on this subject. No Closed Circuit Television systems have been granted type approval for police to use in the enforcement of speed limits.
Fiona Mactaggart:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many people who were (a) recognised as refugees, (b) granted exceptional leave and (c) refused asylum, in each year from 1991, were (i) female and (ii) male; [86121]
Mr. Mike O'Brien:
The information requested is given in the table.
11 Jun 1999 : Column: 433
(2) how many asylum applicants in each year from 1991 were (a) female and (b) male. [86120]
| Year of application | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | ||
| Applications received | |||||||||
| Total | 44,840 | 24,605 | 22,370 | 32,830 | 43,965 | 29,640 | 32,500 | 46,015 | |
| Of which: | |||||||||
| Male (percentage) | 80 | 70 | 67 | 69 | 71 | 71 | 75 | 78 | |
| Female (percentage) | 20 | 30 | 33 | 31 | 29 | 29 | 25 | 22 | |
| Decisions in year (9)(10) | |||||||||
| Recognised as a refugee and granted asylum | |||||||||
| Year of decision | |||||||||
| 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | ||
| Total | 505 | 1,115 | 1,590 | 825 | 1,295 | 2,240 | 3,985 | 5,345 | |
| Of which: | |||||||||
| Male (percentage) | 71 | 82 | 80 | 78 | 72 | 68 | 73 | 70 | |
| Female (percentage) | 29 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 28 | 32 | 27 | 30 | |
| Not recognised as a refugee but granted exceptional leave | |||||||||
| Total | 2,190 | 15,325 | 11,125 | 3,660 | 4,410 | 5,055 | 3,115 | 3,910 | |
| Of which: | |||||||||
| Male (percentage) | 81 | 76 | 71 | 57 | 59 | 60 | 68 | 78 | |
| Female (percentage) | 19 | 24 | 29 | 43 | 41 | 40 | 32 | 22 | |
| Refused asylum and exceptional leave | |||||||||
| Total | 3,380 | 18,465 | 10,690 | 16,500 | 21,300 | 31,670 | 28,945 | 22,315 | |
| Of which: | |||||||||
| Male (percentage) | 84 | 84 | 81 | 75 | 76 | 75 | 73 | 76 | |
| Female (percentage) | 16 | 16 | 19 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 27 | 24 | |
(7) Numbers rounded to the nearest 5 and percentages to the nearest 1 per cent.
(8) Estimates based on records for which this information is held centrally.
(9) Decisions may not relate to applications made in the same period.
(10) Information is of initial determination decisions, excluding the outcome of appeals or other subsequent decisions.
11 Jun 1999 : Column: 433
| Next Section | Index | Home Page |