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Extradition

Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the grounds on which an individual subject to extradition could be transferred to another jurisdiction in his recently published proposals on extradition. [155079]

Mr. Straw: The consultation document, "The Law on Extradition: A Review", which I published on 12 March, makes proposals for extensive streamlining and reform of the present extradition legislation. It does not propose however to amend the fundamental grounds on which an individual subject to extradition proceedings can be transferred to another jurisdiction. These are that there is an extradition arrangement in place between the requesting state and the United Kingdom, and that the offence of which the individual has been accused or convicted is an extradition crime.

The definition of extradition crime varies depending on the particular extradition arrangements in place; the bars to extradition also vary under different arrangements. The proposals for streamlining these provisions are summarised in Chapter II of the consultation document.

Vets

Mr. Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applicants awaiting

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processing of (a) immigration and asylum claims and (b) appeals, are qualified veterinary surgeons; and if he will list the countries of origin involved. [155436]

Mrs. Roche: The information requested is not held centrally and not systematically collected as part of the immigration and asylum application process and is therefore available only at disproportionate cost.

A foreign national wishing to practise as a veterinary surgeon needs a work permit. Information on the number of applications for work permits from veterinary surgeons awaiting decision in the Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) is not held centrally, but the number is likely to be very small. Arrangements have been made with the Department for Education and Employment for such applications to be highlighted and on arrival in IND they will be processed as a matter of priority.

The criteria for recognition as a refugee, and hence the granting of asylum, are set out in the 1951 United Nations Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, extended in its application by the 1967 Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees. The United Kingdom considers all asylum applications against these criteria and not on an applicant's occupation.

Pub-watch Schemes

Mr. Collins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the impact of the Human Rights Act 1998 on pub-watch schemes; and if he will make a statement. [155559]

Mr. Charles Clarke: The Government are keen to promote pub-watch schemes which involve licensees working together to reduce alcohol-related violence and disorder on licensed premises. The schemes may involve information about known troublemakers being passed between local licensees for this purpose.

We do not consider that these schemes, which are supported by the police, are in any way incompatible with the Human Rights Act 1998. The Act should not therefore have any impact on properly run schemes.

Family Visit Appeals

Mr. Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the net income from fees for family visit appeals since 2 October 2000 is; and what proportion of this net income relates to appeals which are outstanding. [155569]

Mrs. Roche: The exact figure is not available, because it is not yet clear how many appeals were lodged before the fees were reduced on 12 January. The Immigration Appellate Authorities are conducting an exercise to establish that information. At present we estimate the current figure for net income from fees for family visitor appeals in the period 2 October 2000 to 22 March 2001 is about £49,000. Of this, 39 per cent. relates to appeals which are currently outstanding and which may result in further refunds.

Passports

Mr. Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many passports were lost by the Immigration and Nationality Directorate in each of the last 10 years. [155565]

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Mrs. Roche: The information requested is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

However, the Integrated Casework Directorate's (ICD's) Return of Passport Unit, which was set up in October 1999, issued 97 lost passport letters to applicants in the year 2000 and has issued 24 letters so far this year.

Secure Units

Mr. Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which local authority secure units have been suspended from use by the Youth Justice Board; for what reasons use of those secure units has been suspended; which secure units which had been suspended from use in the past are being used by the Youth Justice Board; and if he will make a statement. [155567]

Mr. Charles Clarke: The operation of these secure units is a matter for the local authorities concerned and the Department of Health which licenses them. The Youth Justice Board purchases places in most of them. It has ceased to do so, or decided not to start purchasing places, where the unit cannot meet the Board's contracting standards or concerns have been raised by the Board's monitors or the Social Services Inspectorate about the quality of care provided. The units affected during the past year are the Gladstone Unit in Liverpool, Stamford House in London and Stoke House in Coventry. Some places are now being purchased in each of them.

Ports Police

Mr. Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will examine with the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, and HM Treasury, the impact on combating (a) organised crime, (b) incidental theft, (c) bootlegging and (d) illegal immigration of having (i) a dedicated ports police force for the whole of the United Kingdom's ports and (ii) the reintroduction of the British Transport Police at the UK's ports; and if he will make a statement. [153922]

Mr. Charles Clarke: The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions is the lead Department for port police forces. I understand there are no plans at present to establish a dedicated ports police force for the whole of the United Kingdom or to bring ports policing under the control of the British Transport Police. The Under-Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, my hon. Friend the Member for Streatham (Mr. Hill), announced a review of the current arrangements for ports police in an answer given on 8 March 2001, Official Report, column 276W. The review will identify which ports in England and Wales still utilise their own police forces, what powers they have and what functions they perform. It also aims to compare how the port police forces compare with Home Office forces in terms of accountability, report on the current situation and make recommendations for future options for the port police forces. The Home Office will be consulted in the course of this review.

Mr. Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what recent assessment he has made of (a) the contribution made by Port of Liverpool police to combating (i) organised crime, (ii) incidental theft, (iii) bootlegging and (iv) illegal immigration and

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(b) the extent that these forces have been able to (1) collaborate with and (2) complement the work of (A) the Customs and Excise, (B) the Immigration Service and (C) the Special Branch; and if he will make a statement; [153925]

Mr. Charles Clarke: None. The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions is the lead Department for port police forces. The Under-Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, my hon. Friend the Member for Streatham (Mr. Hill), announced a review of the current arrangements for ports police in an answer given on 8 March 2001, Official Report, column 276W. The review will identify which ports in England and Wales still utilise their own police forces, what powers they have and what functions they perform. It also aims to compare how the port police forces compare with Home Office forces in terms of accountability, report on the current situation and make recommendations for future options for the port police forces.

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