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PRIME MINISTER
UK Delegations
Mr. Win Griffiths: To ask the Prime Minister if there are any changes in the composition of the United Kingdom delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and the assembly of the Western European Union. [129909]
The Prime Minister: The hon. Member for Ruislip, Northwood (Mr. Wilkinson) has been appointed as a representative in place of the late Michael Colvin.
HOME DEPARTMENT
Criminal Conviction Certificates
Mr. Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department with respect to the Criminal Conviction Certificates to be issued by the Criminal Records Bureau what plans he has (a) to issue advice to employers requesting access to such certificates of job applicants and (b) to extend the statutory code of practice which covers other certificates to the Criminal Conviction Certificate; what research he has undertaken on the impact of the certificate on recidivism; for what activities, other than employment and visa applications, the Criminal Conviction Certificate will be used; and if he will make a statement. [129187]
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Mr. Charles Clarke: Guidance to employers and others on the use of Criminal Convictions Certificates (CCCs) is in course of preparation. We shall consult widely, including with representatives of employers' organisations, before issuing the guidance. We have not undertaken specific research on the impact of the certificate on recidivism. But the guidance will encourage employers to consider the relevance of information contained in certificates to the particular position being applied for. We shall be working closely with employers' organisations and other interests to ensure that employers are discouraged from rejecting applicants solely on the basis of their criminal records without careful consideration of all the relevant factors.
The Code of Practice prescribed by section 122 of the Police Act 1997 applies to the use of information provided to registered persons. As the registration arrangements apply only to the higher levels of certificate, the code will not apply to CCCs. We shall be using the code to ensure that Registered Bodies fully understand their obligations under the legislation, and to promote good practice in the handling, interpreting and disposal of information received from the Criminal Records Bureau in connection with Criminal Record Certificates and Enhanced Criminal Record Certificates. To the extent that similar guidance is needed in relation to CCCs, we shall include it in the guidance we shall be issuing to applicants, employers and other interested parties.
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While the main reason for introducing CCCs is to improve the quality of employment decisions, anyone may apply for a certificate in relation to their own records, and use it as they wish.
Police (Out-of-court Settlements)
Mr. Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the out-of-court settlements agreed to by UK police forces since 1 January 1998 which included a requirement of (a) non-disclosure of the terms of the settlement and (b) non-publication of the circumstances surrounding actions complained of. [128742]
Mr. Charles Clarke: In the reply I gave my hon. Friend on 5 July 2000, Official Report, columns 239-40W, I gave details of out-of-court settlements. Information is not recorded centrally on which out-of-court settlements were subject to a non-disclosure or non-publication requirement.
Prisoners (Mental Health)
Mr. Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what response he has made to the report of the Prison Inspectorate team on the care of prisoners with mental health problems; and if he will make a statement. [129107]
Mr. Boateng: All prisons and the local health authorities in which they are situated have been asked, in line with the programme of reform set out in "The Future Organisation of Prison Healthcare" (March 1999), by March 2001 at the latest jointly to assess prisoners' health needs and identify appropriate services to meet them and effective means of delivery.
These should include inreach into prisons from community mental health teams as part of the broader development of mental health services as set out in the National Service Framework for Mental Health. Implementation of improvements through individual prison health plans is scheduled to begin from April 2001, although reforms are well underway in a number of prisons already.
Sir Peter Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on progress in implementing the recommendation of the Joint Prison Service and NHS Executive Working Group in its report, "Future Organisation of Prison Health Care" published in March 1999, with particular reference to progress made in securing the care of mentally ill prisoners in line with NHS mental health policy in respect of its arrangements for referral and admission of such prisoners to high and medium secure psychiatric services. [129004]
Mr. Boateng: All prisons and the local health authorities in which they are situated have been asked, in line with the programme of reform set out in "The Future Organisation of Prison Healthcare" (March 1999), by March 2001 at the latest jointly to assess prisoners' health needs and identify appropriate services to meet them and effective means of delivery.
These should include in reach into prisons from community mental health teams as part of the broader development of mental health services as set out in the National Service Framework for Mental Health. Implementation of improvements through individual
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prison health plans is scheduled to begin from April 2001, although reforms are well underway in a number of prisons already.
The Prison Service and the NHS are now actively monitoring the number of prisoners awaiting transfer to secure psychiatric hospitals and waiting times, referring particularly difficult cases to the newly established NHS Regional Specialist Commissioning Groups for review or transfer action, as appropriate.
Anti-social Behaviour Orders
Mr. Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many anti-social behaviour orders have been served in each police authority area in Wales; [128581]
- (2) what advice he has given to local authorities in Wales on the use of anti-social behaviour orders. [128582]
Mr. Charles Clarke: As far as we are aware, no anti-social behaviour orders (ASBO's) have been granted in Wales.
In March 1999, the Home Office issued guidance on anti-social behaviour orders. In June 2000, this was supplemented by guidance on drawing up local ASBO protocols. Both documents have been sent to all local authorities in England and Wales. In addition to the guidance, my officials have spoken at three seminars on ASBO's, which were attended by representatives from local authorities in Wales: at Conwy in December last year, and at Liverpool and Bridgend in March and April this year respectively.
Dr. Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many anti-social behaviour orders have been issued for (a) juveniles, (b) adults and (c) in total (i) nationally, (ii) on Teesside and (iii) in the constituency of Middlesbrough, South and Cleveland, East; and if he will make a statement. [128639]
Mr. Charles Clarke: Figures for the number of anti-social behaviour orders granted are being collected centrally with effect from 1 June. However, we understand that at least 80 such orders were issued in England and Wales between 1 April 1999 and 31 May this year, including one against an adult in the Cleveland police area. We understand that the order does not apply in the constituency of Middlesbrough, South and Cleveland, East. At lease 27 anti-social behaviour orders nationally have been issued against people under the age of 18.
Mr. Chaytor: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many anti-social behaviour orders have been issued to date in each district of Greater Manchester. [128001]
Mr. Charles Clarke: Figures for the number of anti-social behaviour orders granted are being collected centrally with effect from 1 June. However, we understand that at least 80 such orders were issued in England and Wales between 1 April 1999 and 31 May this year, including at least seven in Greater Manchester. The figure is not broken down by district.
Speed Cameras
Mr. Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many speed camera fines were
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issued in each of the last 10 years; what was the income from speed camera fines in each of those years; and if he will make a statement. [128389]
Mr. Charles Clarke [holding answer 3 July 2000]: The information currently available is for the years 1993-97 and concerns fixed penalties issued and prosecutions undertaken for speeding offences detected by automatic cameras. Details are published in the Home Office Statistical Bulletin, Motoring Offences, England and Wales 1997. A copy is available in the Library.
The precise income to the Treasury from the penalties imposed is not known, but the fixed penalty for speeding offences during the period was £40 and the average fine imposed by a court for a speeding offence in 1997 was £119.
The table shows average fines at magistrates' courts for certain motoring offices 1 and average fines revalued to 1987 prices 2 (shown in brackets).
| Year | Speed limit offences (£) |
|---|---|
| 1987 | 57 |
| 1988 | 63 (60) |
| 1989 | 77 (68) |
| 1990 | 83 (67) |
| 1991 | 85 (65) |
| 1992 | 87 (64) |
| 1993 | 127 (92) |
| 1994 | 113 (80) |
| 1995 | 107 (73) |
| 1996 | 101 (67) |
| 1997 | 119 (77) |
(17) Only fines which are principal sentences are included
(18) As estimated by the general index of retail prices
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