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Speed Cameras
Mr. Prior: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much revenue was raised from fixed speeding penalties, arising from police cameras in (a) 1995, (b) 1996, (c) 1997, (d) 1998, (e) 1999 and (f) 2000. [150624]
Mr. Charles Clarke: Available information showing the number of fixed penalties for speeding offences, where cameras have provided evidence, from 1995 to 1999 is given in the table. Automatic camera devices provided evidence from 1995 to 1998 and all camera types for 1999. Data for 2000 are not yet available. From 1995 to 1999 the fixed penalty charge for speeding offences was £40.
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| Year | Fixed penalties(21) | 'Estimated' revenue (£ million)(22) |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 170,000 | 6.8 |
| 1996 | 212,600 | 8.8 |
| 1997 | 288,600 | 11.5 |
| 1998 | 338,800 | 13.6 |
| 1999 | 423,000 | 16.9 |
(20) Automatic cameras until 1998, all camera types for 1999
(21) Paid ie no further action
(22) 'Estimate' based on £40 fixed penalty charge from 1995 to 1999
Departmental Policies (Vale of Clwyd)
Mr. Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Vale of Clwyd constituency, the effects on the Vale of Clwyd of his Department's policies and actions since May 1997. [151931]
Mr. Charles Clarke: The Home Office is working to build a safe, just and tolerant society in which the right and responsibilities of individuals, families and communities are properly balanced, and the protection and security of the public are maintained. Detailed information on the impact of Home Office policies across the full range of responsibilities is set out in Home Office Annual Reports. A copy of the most recent report, "Home Office Annual Report 1999-2000", is available in the Library. Information on recorded crime and policing is also published. "Recorded Crime England and Wales, 12 months to September 2000" and "Police Service Strength England and Wales, 30 September 2000" can be found in the Library. The recorded crime statistics include information on recorded crime by basic command unit and crime and disorder partnerships.
The impact of Home Office policies and actions is not normally examined by constituency and the statistics which the Department collects, such as recorded crime, cannot be matched in the way requested, although examples relating to the Vale of Clwyd constituency or the immediate locality are set out as follows:
Closed Circuit Television (CCTV)
The Rhyl south-east scheme was awarded £159,000 under the first round of the CCTV initiative. The scheme is a four-camera extension of the existing town centre system, covering three educational sites with additional surveillance capabilities for the surrounding residential and smaller commercial areas. The scheme proposes to impact on incidents of criminal damage, burglary and anti-social behaviour.
One scheme, covering houses in multiple occupancy in Colwyn Bay, Abergele and Rhyl, elderly persons sheltered housing in Flintshire, and the areas of Gwenfro and Y Wern in Wrexham was awarded £33,000 under round two of the reducing burglary initiative. Interventions include: covert observations; high profile and targeted policing; high profile media press strategy; preparation/distribution of crime prevention literature and a crime stoppers campaign.
The central north Wales YOT covers the constituency of Vale of Clwyd. The YOT is making an excellent contribution to reducing delays within the court process
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by producing 98 per cent. of court reports within the agreed timescales. A bail supervision scheme has been established to reduce the incidence of secure remands and reoffending by young people while on bail. The YOT is also performing well against national standards and objectives with 90 per cent. of all final warning assessments being completed within 14 days.
A community reparation scheme is being operated in support of the community-based court orders and 11 agencies are supporting community reparation work. As a result, 60 per cent. of local reparation work is community-based. There is also a trained YOT worker in place to consult and liaise with victims of crime on their willingness to become involved in direct reparation work. The YOT has also developed protocols with appropriate agencies with the aim of involving parents in the youth justice process.
The Youth Justice Board is also providing funding for Splash schemes to be run during Easter and summer school holidays in 2001. These schemes provide positive and constructive activities for young people most at risk of offending. Easter and summer Splash schemes are planned for Rhyl.
More generally, all of the policies of the Home Office will impact on the residents of Vale of Clwyd to a greater or lesser extent. For example:
- 376 crime and disorder reduction partnerships have been established;
- racial harassment and racially motivated crimes have been made criminal offences by the Crime and Disorder Act 1998;
- the asylum backlog has been cut from 103,495 at the end of January 2000 to 66,195 by the end of December 2000;
- good progress is being made in reducing the incidence of fire deaths in England and Wales. They have dropped from 605 in 1997 to 534 in 1999.
Criminal Bar
Mr. Sedgemore: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what plans he has to address members of the Criminal Bar Association on their relationships with the criminal fraternity; [152133]
- (2) what plans he has to meet the Chairman of the Bar Council to discuss the criminal justice system and the conduct of barristers; [152131]
(3) what plans he has to bring forward legislation enabling action to be taken against barristers at the criminal bar who are suspected of acting unprofessionally. [152132]
Mr. Charles Clarke: My right hon. Friend has no such plans. Barristers are subject to the Bar code of conduct. The code is a matter for the Bar Council, which is responsible for its enforcement, including investigating allegations of professional misconduct.
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Mode of Trial
Mr. Sedgemore: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) when he intends to bring forward the Mode of Trial Bill; [152130]
- (2) if he will abandon his previously announced plans to restrict trial by jury. [152129]
Mr. Charles Clarke: As was affirmed in the speech from the Throne, the Government propose to give the courts, rather than the defendant, the power to decide where an either-way case should be tried. No decisions have been taken on the timing of this measure.
Sewerage Charges
Mr. Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average annual level of sewerage charges is on homes in (a) Devon, (b) the United Kingdom and (c) his Department's estate in Denbury. [151882]
Mr. Boateng: Unmeasured sewerage charges consist of a fixed charge and a charge based on the rateable value of the property, both of which vary by water company. Information on unmeasured sewerage charges published by the Office of Water Services (Ofwat) show that in England and Wales in the financial year 2000-01, the weighted average fixed charge is £41.50 and the weighted average charged based on rateable value is 46.89p in the pound. Figures for South West Water, which covers Devon, are £42 and 112.35P in the pound respectively. The charges for the properties in the former Prison Service quarters estates are based on South West Water's figures and are equivalent to the charge which would be made by that company.
Exemption Certificates
Jackie Ballard: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many exemption certificates have been issued on the grounds of national security since the implementation of the Data Protection Act 1998. [151119]
Mr. Straw [holding answer 26 January 2001]: Since the Act came into force I have signed one certificate, which relates to categories of personal data held by the Security Service. In addition, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has signed two certificates which relate to categories of personal data held by the Government Communication Headquarters (GCHQ) and the Secret Intelligence Service (SIS) respectively.
Serco Contracts
Mrs. Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the contracts that exist between SERCo and his Department, its executive agencies and associated public bodies; and if he will list those which have existed in the last three years. [151336]
Mr. Straw: I list the details on existing contracts with SERCo. The available information shows that there have been no other contracts between SERCo and my Department, its agencies and associated public bodies in the last three years.
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| Title of contract | Awarded by | Contract start | Contract finish |
|---|---|---|---|
| Facilities Management at Police Scientific Development Branch Langhurst | Home Office | 6 January 1998 | 31 January 2002 |
| Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Mandatory Training | Fire Service College | 28 September 1998 | 31 March 2003 |
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