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UK Passport Agency
Mr. Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he made of the performance of the UK Passport Agency before deciding that the agency should administer the new Criminal Records Bureau. [86336]
Mr. Mike O'Brien: The decision to ask the United Kingdom Passport Agency (UKPA) to manage the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) was taken for a number of reasons. The work of the Bureau involves similar business processes to those which the UKPA, notwithstanding its current temporary operational difficulties, has a good track record in providing. The Agency also has experience of procuring information technology using public-private partnership arrangements which will be appropriate for the setting up of the CRB, and sound financial management systems.
Mr. Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what this year's performance targets are for the UK Passport Agency for dealing with applicants by (a) telephone, (b) post and (c) personal attendance; and what assessment he has made of the UK Passport Agency's performance against each of these targets in the current year. [86351]
Mr. Mike O'Brien: I am awaiting proposals from the United Kingdom Passport Agency's Chief Executive on targets for 1999-2000 which take account of the Agency's decision on the full introduction of the new computerised issuing arrangements to all of its six passport offices. In the meantime, the Agency is working to its 1998-99 targets for dealing with applicants by telephone, post and personal attendance. These are set out in the Annexe to the Agency's 1998-99 Business Plan, copies of which are in the Library.
As I have explained in my letter of 10 June to hon. Members, the Agency has encountered some teething problems in piloting new computerised passport issuing arrangements at its Liverpool and Newport offices. Productivity has been below expectations and arrears of work have developed. In addition, the Agency is dealing with high seasonal demand for passports.
Because of the backlog of work, and recent media attention the Agency has been swamped with telephone and written inquiries, and large queues have formed
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outside each of the offices. Although the position is now improving, the Agency is not yet meeting its performance targets.
My letter indicated what action the Agency is taking to improve its performance.
Miss McIntosh:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he has taken to reduce delays and improve the service to members of the public in dealing with the Passport Agency; what plans he has to compensate customers for loss arising from failures in the Agency's service; and if he will make a statement. [86475]
Mr. Mike O'Brien:
As I have explained in my letter to hon. Members of 10 June, the United Kingdom Passport Agency is taking a number of measures to improve its service to customers, and reduce delays in processing passport applications.
It is prioritising applications by its customers' declared travel dates, and is meeting those dates for 99.99 per cent. of passports issued. 300 additional staff are being deployed, examination processes are being streamlined, and the Agency is working extended hours. In order to clear quickly straightforward renewal applications, certain existing passports are being extended for two years. Current delays will reduce as a result of actions being taken, and the seasonal nature of the Agency's work. The Agency's total work arrears are less than one months normal output.
As regards compensation, the Agency's policy, where it has clearly been at fault and provided unsatisfactory service, is to compensate customers for reasonable additional expenditure incurred. Each case is considered on its merits.
Mr. Bercow:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the restrictions proposed to be placed on Court of Auditors auditing powers over the Schengen Information System. [86448]
Mr. Straw:
It is for the Council of Ministers, as composed of the 13 Schengen States, to decide unanimously on any provision which would ensure that Court of Auditors auditing powers would apply to those
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budgetary arrangements which do not form part of the European Community budget, and are not therefore subject to European Community budget rules. They have done so in relation to expenditure on, inter alia, the installation and functioning of the "Help Desk Server" of the Schengen Information System Management Unit, where such a provision was required.
Mr. Peter Bottomley:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the follow-up to the March 1998 police report about the arrest in Ealing of a National Front member with alleged association with a serving police officer; and if 1 Area TSG was advised. [86970]
Kate Hoey:
The Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police tells me that inquiries were carried out to establish the extent of any connection between the suspect and any police officer and that no such connection was discovered. The management of the then Number One Area Territorial Support Group were informed of these inquiries at the time.
Mr. Peter Bottomley:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the suspect classified as CRO No. 108485/74A, born in August 1953, Ealing Police Station Custody Record 755/98, was charged with an offence; if the extent of his relationship with police officers was established; when his house was searched and how many officers were involved; and what was the nature of his work in an Islamic centre. [86968]
Kate Hoey:
The Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police tells me that the Crown Prosecution Service was consulted about this case and that they declined to prosecute as they considered the evidence available was insufficient; no relationship between this suspect and any police officer was established; the suspect's house was not searched and the police are not aware of any connection with any Islamic centre.
Mr. Peter Bottomley:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what investigations were conducted into the racist hate-mail and graffiti directed at the Ealing Racial Equality Unit; and with what results. [86969]
Kate Hoey:
The Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police tells me that on 27 April 1999, three National Front stickers had been fixed to the front door, over a 'Blair Peach' poster, at the Ealing Racial Equality Centre. Forensic examination proved to be impracticable because of the way in which the stickers had been removed before police officers were present; and examination of Closed Circuit Television tapes produced negative results.
Mr. Coaker:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the extent of the use to date of the provisions of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 relating to (a) child curfews, (b) anti-social behaviour orders and (c) parenting orders. [86921]
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Mr. Boateng:
The child curfew provisions were brought into force on 30 September 1998. Local authorities wishing to impose them must consult locally and seek the Home Secretary's approval. No applications have yet been received. They are available to form part of integrated local action to reduce crime and disorder, and local authorities will wish to take into account the wider crime and disorder reduction strategies currently being developed under the provisions of the Act.
The anti-social behaviour order provisions were introduced on 1 April 1999. One order has been made so far. It is for the police or local authority to decide whether to apply for one. We plan to review their use and effectiveness, and the extent to which they have been used, during their first two years.
Parenting orders have been available since 30 September 1998 and introduced progressively since then in nine youth justice pilot areas. By the end of May 1999, 67 orders had been made--a significant level of use for a pilot scheme. The results of the piloting, due to run for 18 months, will inform the process of national implementation and help to identify good practice.
Mr. Cohen:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the status of the human remains found at Rapparee Cove, Devon, in 1997. [86856]
Mr. George Howarth:
The remains, consisting of a small number of bones, were removed on the authority of a Home Office licence. They are currently subject to scientific examination at the University of Bristol, where further tests to determine the origin of the remains are being planned.
Jane Griffiths:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the work of the Inside Out Trust with prison inmates. [86847]
Mr. George Howarth:
I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave her on 14 June 1999, Official Report, column 59.
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