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Domestic Violence
Mr. Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures he plans to introduce to combat domestic violence against women. [116944]
Mr. Boateng: We are taking forward the agenda for action set out in "Living without Fear: an integrated approach to tackling violence against women" which the Home Office, in conjunction with the Women's Unit, published last year.
Most recently, in addition to the new multi-agency guidance for addressing domestic violence which we issued in early March, the Government have issued more detailed guidance specifically for Health Service professionals. Similar guidance for the police will be
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issued shortly. Projects on domestic violence within the violence against women initiative of the Crime Reduction Programme will be funded from June.
Mr. Simon Hughes:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the change in (a) total police strength, (b) the number of police constables and (c) the number of special constables in (i) Hampshire and (ii) each division within Hampshire, between (1) 1992 and 1997 and (2) 1997 and the latest date for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [117037]
Mr. Charles Clarke:
The available information is set out in the table. I understand from the Chief Constable that as a consequence of boundary changes to the Division over the years specified and because of further boundary changes being implemented from 1 April, that will make the territorial divisions more co-terminous with local authority boundaries, it is not possible to provide information on police numbers on a divisional basis which would be comparable or helpful.
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| 31 March 1992 (50) | Increase | 31 March 1997 | Increase/Decrease | 30 September 1999 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Police Officers | 3,211 | +241 | 3,452 | -41 | 3,411 |
| Constables | 2,484 | +214 | 2,698 | -63 | 2,635 |
| Special Constables | 529(51) | +82 | 611 | +109 | 720 |
(50) Figures for 1992 are a pure headcount of staff numbers. From 1995 information on police numbers was collected on a full-time equivalent basis following changes to police regulations to allow the employment of part-time police officers.
(51) Information on the numbers of special constables was collected only annually. This figure is therefore for 31 December 1991.
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Oakington Detention Centre
Mr. Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many asylum seekers and dependants are being held at Oakington Detention Centre; [117099]
- (2) how many asylum seekers have been held at Oakington Detention Centre since it opened; and in how many of those cases the initial decision on an application was made during the asylum seeker's stay at Oakington. [117248]
Mrs. Roche: As of midnight on 30 March, 47 asylum applicants had been detained at Oakington Reception Centre since it opened. Of these, 21 have so far received a decision on their claim while at Oakington and the remainder are at various stages of consideration. 24 applicants, but no dependants, were detained at midnight on 30 March.
Mr. Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his policy on allowing detainees at Oakington temporarily to leave the centre. [117100]
Mrs. Roche:
The purpose of Oakington is to deal with straightforward asylum claims in about seven days. If a decision cannot be taken within this period, the applicant will either be transferred to an ordinary detention centre or given temporary admission. As the process for consideration of the asylum claim will be very intensive, applicants will not be allowed to leave the site unless absolutely necessary, for example to attend a hospital out patient appointment.
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Mr. Lidington:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many detainees have been permitted temporarily to leave Oakington Detention Centre; how many have failed to return; and if he will make a statement. [117098]
Mrs. Roche:
As of midnight on 30 March, no detainees had been released from the Oakington Reception Centre subject to a condition that they return there.
Mr. Lidington:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers have been dispersed from Oakington Detention Centre before a decision on their case has been made; where they have dispersed to; and if he will make a statement. [117249]
Mrs. Roche:
As of midnight on 30 March, one detainee had been released from the Oakington Reception Centre before a decision on his case had been made. This applicant was granted temporary admission to reside with relatives and was not dispersed under the interim dispersal arrangements.
Mr. Lidington:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to receive the report of the Liquidator of Global Cultural Diversity Congress Ltd; and when he expects that report to be available to members of the Commission for Racial Equality. [117250]
Mr. Mike O'Brien:
The issue of reports produced as part of the liquidation process is a matter for the Liquidator.
3 Apr 2000 : Column: 379W
Mr. Mackinlay:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) serving and (b) retired police officers who took part in the Rachel Nickell murder inquiry (1) have had documents seized by the Metropolitan police; and if he will make a statement; [117107]
Mr. Charles Clarke:
The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis informs me that this information is not readily available. I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as I have received it.
Mr. Mackinlay:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 16 March 2000, Official Report, column 268W, what was the purpose and cost of Operation Nightshade; and when it was completed. [116965]
Mr. Charles Clarke:
The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis informs me that Operation Nightshade was an investigation into the activities of criminals involved with importation of drugs, the supply of firearms and money laundering. It was completed in June 1994. He also informs me that information about the cost of the Operation is not available.
Mr. Mackinlay:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 16 March 2000, Official Report, column 269W on Mr. Keith Green, if the officer who interviewed Mr. Keith Green in the hospital wing of Brixton Prison on 16 December 1997 was the officer referred to in his answer relating to the interview of 9 December 1997; and if he will make a statement. [117014]
Mr. Charles Clarke:
The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis informs me that the answer is yes.
Mr. Mackinlay:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when (a) the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis and (b) the PCA received the report of the investigating officer into the complaint of Keith Green; and what has been the cause of delay in its completion. [117017]
Mr. Charles Clarke:
The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis informs me that the investigating officer's report was received by the Complaints Investigation Branch on 23 June 1999 and not sent to the Police Complaints Authority (PCA). The Complaints Investigation Branch wrote to the PCA on the 10 December 1999 to inform them of the decision of the Crown Prosecution Service not to proceed further with the complaint. He also informs me there was no delay in the completion of the investigation.
Mr. Mackinlay:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 16 March 2000, Official Report, column 268W, for what purpose Roger Crooks was interviewed by SO13 on 24 June 1994; and if he will make a statement. [116964]
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Mr. Charles Clarke:
The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis informs me that officers of SO13 interviewed Mr. Roger Crooks on 21 June 1994 about matters that involved the supply of firearms.
Mr. Mackinlay:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 16 March 2000, Official Report, column 268W, on which occasions, subsequent to 24 June 1994, Roger Crooks has been interviewed by SO13; and if he will make a statement. [116963]
Mr. Charles Clarke:
The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis tells me that there is no record that SO13 interviewed Roger Crooks after 21 June 1994.
(2) have (i) been subject to disciplinary action and (ii) been interviewed by (A) CIB and (B) SO13. [116967]
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