House of Commons Hansard Written Answers for 5 Nov 2001 (pt 22)

Cannabis

Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were (a) arrested and charged with and (b) convicted of cannabis possession in (i) the Thames Valley police authority area and (ii) every other police authority area in each of the last four years. [11875]

Mr. Bob Ainsworth: Arrest data are not collected centrally by individual offence.

Information from the Home Office Court Proceedings Database showing the number of persons convicted of the possession of cannabis by police force area during the period 1997–2000 is given in the table.

Number of persons convicted at all courts for the possession of cannabis by police force area in England and Wales 1997–2000

Police force area 1997 1998 1999 2000

Avon and Somerset 140 201 260 311

Bedfordshire 227 290 248 212

Cambridgeshire 154 152 147 88

Cheshire 375 505 537 374

Cleveland 79 123 205 221

Cumbria 211 243 199 161

Derbyshire 167 204 248 206

Devon and Cornwall 492 587 517 479

Dorset 105 222 286 281

Durham 97 102 100 212

Essex 465 538 559 567

Gloucestershire 143 191 201 172

Greater Manchester 594 728 808 895

Hampshire 530 770 917 738

Hertfordshire 253 228 236 233

Humberside 146 213 226 232

Kent 542 873 873 720

Lancashire 657 885 814 716

Leicestershire 244 308 245 226

Lincolnshire 292 317 171 162

London, City of 67 89 70 23

Merseyside 999 1,312 1,246 941

Metropolitan police 3,743 5,100 4,974 4,550

Norfolk 318 170 261 237

Northamptonshire 12 11 31 102

Northumbria 314 655 879 925

North Yorkshire 230 371 337 158

Nottinghamshire 244 236 266 260

South Yorkshire 416 474 577 617

Staffordshire⁽²⁰⁾ 249 289 221 n/a

Suffolk 230 239 234 166

Surrey 208 250 314 358

Sussex 317 330 296 272

Thames Valley 550 683 642 558

Warwickshire 67 76 74 74

West Mercia 261 314 286 218

West Midlands 785 1,212 1,114 1,213

West Yorkshire 940 1,153 1,011 856

Wiltshire 125 169 203 169

Dyfed Powys 302 499 476 368

Gwent 178 262 278 337

North Wales 222 357 355 292

South Wales 585 712 681 692

England and Wales 17,275 22,643 22,623 20,725

Police force area	1997	1998	1999	2000
Avon and Somerset	140	201	260	311
Bedfordshire	227	290	248	212
Cambridgeshire	154	152	147	88
Cheshire	375	505	537	374
Cleveland	79	123	205	221
Cumbria	211	243	199	161
Derbyshire	167	204	248	206
Devon and Cornwall	492	587	517	479
Dorset	105	222	286	281
Durham	97	102	100	212
Essex	465	538	559	567
Gloucestershire	143	191	201	172
Greater Manchester	594	728	808	895
Hampshire	530	770	917	738
Hertfordshire	253	228	236	233
Humberside	146	213	226	232
Kent	542	873	873	720
Lancashire	657	885	814	716
Leicestershire	244	308	245	226
Lincolnshire	292	317	171	162
London, City of	67	89	70	23
Merseyside	999	1,312	1,246	941
Metropolitan police	3,743	5,100	4,974	4,550
Norfolk	318	170	261	237
Northamptonshire	12	11	31	102
Northumbria	314	655	879	925
North Yorkshire	230	371	337	158
Nottinghamshire	244	236	266	260
South Yorkshire	416	474	577	617
Staffordshire⁽²⁰⁾	249	289	221	n/a
Suffolk	230	239	234	166
Surrey	208	250	314	358
Sussex	317	330	296	272
Thames Valley	550	683	642	558
Warwickshire	67	76	74	74
West Mercia	261	314	286	218
West Midlands	785	1,212	1,114	1,213
West Yorkshire	940	1,153	1,011	856
Wiltshire	125	169	203	169
Dyfed Powys	302	499	476	368
Gwent	178	262	278	337
North Wales	222	357	355	292
South Wales	585	712	681	692

England and Wales	17,275	22,643	22,623	20,725

n/a = not available

⁽²⁰⁾ Estimates made for Staffordshire police force, who were able to submit data for only a sample of weeks for year 2000, have been included only in the total.

Note:

All data are given on a principal offence basis.

5 Nov 2001 : Column: 83W

Mr. Blizzard: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the effect on the (a) quantity of cannabis consumed in the UK, (b) quantity of tobacco consumed in the UK and (c) number of people in the UK using cannabis that would result from the reclassification of cannabis from a Class B to Class C drug. [11589]

Mr. Bob Ainsworth: I do not anticipate that a decision to reclassify cannabis from Class B to Class C under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 would have any effect on the number of people using the drug or the quantity consumed. Cannabis will remain a controlled drug and using it still a criminal offence.

Sex Offences

Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what reviews of sex offences are in progress in his Department; and when their conclusions will be reported to the House. [11873]

Mr. Keith Bradley: The Government set up a Sex Offences Review in January 1999. Its recommendations on reforming the law on sex offences were published in 'Setting the Boundaries' in July 2000. We are now considering the recommendations in the light of the over 700 responses to that consultation document. We hope to make an announcement as soon as possible.

In addition responses to consultation on a review of Part One of the Sex Offenders Act 1997 (the register of sex offenders) are currently being analysed.

Asylum Seekers

Mr. Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information will be stored on the asylum seekers' identification smart card. [12055]

Angela Eagle: The Application Registration Card or 'ARC' will have a microchip which could enable it to support financial transactions in due course. In addition, it is currently envisaged that the following data will be stored within the microchip:

Printed on card

Name

Date of Birth

Sex

Nationality

IFB ref no

Place of original issue

Date of original issue

Card Issue No

Date of application

Number of dependants

Dependant of

Language 1

Language 2

5 Nov 2001 : Column: 84W

Contained in microchip

Name

Address

IFB ref no

Home Office ref no

Port/LEO reference

NASS ref no

Originating Port/LEO code

Date of Birth

Sex

Nationality Code

Case Type

Asylum/Non-asylum

Place of original issue

Date of original issue

Next report date

Case Status

Card Issue No

Card Serial No

Face image

Fingerprints

Issuing Officer

Fingerprint used

Date of application

Number of dependants

Dependant of

Language 1

Language 2.

However, these lists are still subject to change. Card design will not be confirmed until 9 November.

Ms Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum claims by (a) families, (b) unaccompanied minors and (c) all persons were rejected on the grounds of non-compliance (i) as an initial decision and (ii) as a final decision, as a percentage of all decisions, for each of the last six months. [10749]

Angela Eagle: The available information on initial decisions made on asylum claims made by (a) principal applicants and (b) families are included in the table. Decision data for unaccompanied minors are unavailable.

Initial decisions made⁽²¹⁾^,⁽²²⁾^,⁽²³⁾ and refusals on non-compliance grounds of asylum and exceptional leave, principal applicants, February 2001-July 2001⁽²⁴⁾

Initial decisions made Refused on non- compliance grounds Percentage of total decisions

February 2001 14,430 3,460 24

March 2001 18,895 3,110 16

April 2001 9,455 1,415 15

May 2001 9,645 1,625 17

June 2001 8,205 1,400 17

July 2001 7,600 1,285 17

	Initial decisions made	Refused on non- compliance grounds	Percentage of total decisions
February 2001	14,430	3,460	24
March 2001	18,895	3,110	16
April 2001	9,455	1,415	15
May 2001	9,645	1,625	17
June 2001	8,205	1,400	17
July 2001	7,600	1,285	17

⁽²¹⁾ Figures (other than percentages) rounded to nearest 5.

⁽²²⁾ Information is of initial decision excluding the outcome of appeals of other subsequent decisions.

⁽²³⁾ May include some cases decided under the backlog criteria.

⁽²⁴⁾ Provisional.

5 Nov 2001 : Column: 85W

Initial decisions made⁽²⁵⁾^,⁽²⁶⁾^,⁽²⁷⁾ and refusals on non-compliance grounds of asylum and exceptional leave, families, February 2001-July 2001⁽²⁸⁾

Initial decisions made Refused on non- compliance grounds Percentage of total decisions

February 2001 780 170 22

March 2001 1,165 205 18

April 2001 705 165 24

May 2001 750 175 23

June 2001 655 100 15

July 2001 590 70 12

	Initial decisions made	Refused on non- compliance grounds	Percentage of total decisions
February 2001	780	170	22
March 2001	1,165	205	18
April 2001	705	165	24
May 2001	750	175	23
June 2001	655	100	15
July 2001	590	70	12

⁽²⁵⁾ Figures (other than percentages) rounded to nearest 5.

⁽²⁶⁾ Information is of initial decision excluding the outcome of appeals of other subsequent decisions.

⁽²⁷⁾ May include some cases decided under the backlog criteria.

⁽²⁸⁾ Provisional.

5 Nov 2001 : Column: 86W

Information on final decisions are not readily available and would only be obtained by examination of individual case files relating to the outcomes of initial decisions, appeals and reconsiderations, which would incur disproportionate cost.

Ms Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the percentage of applications for asylum refused on non-compliance grounds at the initial decision stage by country of origin in the last six months. [10724]

Angela Eagle: The information requested has been provided in the table.

Refusals⁽²⁹⁾^,⁽³⁰⁾^,⁽³¹⁾ of asylum and exceptional leave, excluding dependants, by nationality, February 2001-July 2001⁽³²⁾

Europe Total decisions Total refused Percentage of total decisions Refused on non-compliance grounds Percentage of total decisions Percentage of total refusals

Albania 975 885 91 245 25 28

Czech Republic 595 595 100 60 10 10

FRY 6,035 4,805 80 1,110 18 23

Poland 455 445 98 95 21 21

Romania 1,300 1,265 97 760 58 60

Russia 525 495 94 120 23 24

Turkey 4,495 4,265 95 445 10 10

Ukraine 705 685 97 165 23 24

Other former USSR 1,650 1,560 95 545 33 35

Other former Yugo. 525 480 91 100 19 21

Others 485 440 91 65 13 15

Total 17,745 15,910 90 3,710 21 23

Americas

Colombia 420 375 89 65 15 17

Ecuador 345 330 96 65 19 20

Others 400 370 93 90 23 24

Total 1,165 1,080 93 220 19 20

Middle East

Iran 3,360 2,900 86 545 16 19

Iraq 4,735 3,520 74 745 16 21

Others 1,110 940 85 140 13 15

Total 9,200 7,360 80 1,430 16 19

Africa

Algeria 1,670 1,585 95 345 21 22

Angola 695 380 55 95 14 25

Dem Rep of Congo 1,455 1,115 77 125 9 11

Ethiopia 650 515 79 40 6 8

Gambia 45 35 78 10 22 29

Ghana 230 180 78 55 24 31

Ivory Coast 305 285 93 50 16 18

Kenya 540 490 91 105 19 21

Nigeria 640 555 87 210 33 38

Rwanda 585 300 51 120 21 40

Sierra Leone 1,425 365 26 210 15 58

Somalia 4,180 1,505 36 745 18 50

Sudan 465 370 80 40 9 11

Tanzania 75 65 87 10 13 15

Uganda 640 570 89 70 11 12

Zimbabwe 945 885 94 85 9 10

Others 3,710 3,020 81 480 13 16

Total 17,305 11,330 65 2,720 16 24

Asia

Afghanistan 7,175 1,470 20 795 11 54

Bangladesh 555 535 96 165 30 31

China 2,340 2,255 96 595 25 26

India 1,775 1,740 98 790 45 45

Pakistan 2,420 2,260 93 800 33 35

Sri Lanka 6,375 5,215 82 485 8 9

Others 1,340 1,240 93 445 33 36

Total 21,980 14,710 67 4,070 19 28

Other and unknown nationalities 825 635 77 140 17 22

Grand total 68,230 51,030 75 12,285 18 24

Europe	Total decisions	Total refused	Percentage of total decisions	Refused on non-compliance grounds	Percentage of total decisions	Percentage of total refusals
Albania	975	885	91	245	25	28
Czech Republic	595	595	100	60	10	10
FRY	6,035	4,805	80	1,110	18	23
Poland	455	445	98	95	21	21
Romania	1,300	1,265	97	760	58	60
Russia	525	495	94	120	23	24
Turkey	4,495	4,265	95	445	10	10
Ukraine	705	685	97	165	23	24
Other former USSR	1,650	1,560	95	545	33	35
Other former Yugo.	525	480	91	100	19	21
Others	485	440	91	65	13	15
Total	17,745	15,910	90	3,710	21	23

Americas
Colombia	420	375	89	65	15	17
Ecuador	345	330	96	65	19	20
Others	400	370	93	90	23	24
Total	1,165	1,080	93	220	19	20

Middle East
Iran	3,360	2,900	86	545	16	19
Iraq	4,735	3,520	74	745	16	21
Others	1,110	940	85	140	13	15
Total	9,200	7,360	80	1,430	16	19

Africa
Algeria	1,670	1,585	95	345	21	22
Angola	695	380	55	95	14	25
Dem Rep of Congo	1,455	1,115	77	125	9	11
Ethiopia	650	515	79	40	6	8
Gambia	45	35	78	10	22	29
Ghana	230	180	78	55	24	31
Ivory Coast	305	285	93	50	16	18
Kenya	540	490	91	105	19	21
Nigeria	640	555	87	210	33	38
Rwanda	585	300	51	120	21	40
Sierra Leone	1,425	365	26	210	15	58
Somalia	4,180	1,505	36	745	18	50
Sudan	465	370	80	40	9	11
Tanzania	75	65	87	10	13	15
Uganda	640	570	89	70	11	12
Zimbabwe	945	885	94	85	9	10
Others	3,710	3,020	81	480	13	16
Total	17,305	11,330	65	2,720	16	24

Asia
Afghanistan	7,175	1,470	20	795	11	54
Bangladesh	555	535	96	165	30	31
China	2,340	2,255	96	595	25	26
India	1,775	1,740	98	790	45	45
Pakistan	2,420	2,260	93	800	33	35
Sri Lanka	6,375	5,215	82	485	8	9
Others	1,340	1,240	93	445	33	36
Total	21,980	14,710	67	4,070	19	28

Other and unknown nationalities	825	635	77	140	17	22
Grand total	68,230	51,030	75	12,285	18	24

⁽²⁹⁾ Figures (other than percentages) rounded to nearest five.

⁽³⁰⁾ Information is of initial decision excluding the outcome of appeals of other subsequent decisions.

⁽³¹⁾ May include some cases decided under the backlog criteria.

⁽³²⁾ Provisional

5 Nov 2001 : Column: 87W

Mr. Lilley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what purpose asylum seekers will be required to present their application registration cards. [11744]

Angela Eagle [holding answer 1 November 2001]: Asylum seekers will not be required to present Application Registration Cards (ARCs) other than for immigration and asylum purposes. They are being introduced to help them identify themselves in order to access Asylum Support services. The current standard acknowledgement letter (SAL) is too open to forgery and counterfeiting.

Mr. Lilley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether employers will be required to check the Application Registration Card of employees they believe to be asylum seekers. [11745]

Angela Eagle [holding answer 1 November 2001]: Employers are not currently required to check an asylum seeker's standard acknowledgement letter (SAL) but they must ensure that any person they are proposing to employ has permission to work in this country. Employers who fail to carry out such checks may be committing an offence under section 8 of the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996.

The Application Registration Card will be issued to all new asylum seekers. It is not envisaged that it will in itself confer permission to work and a statement to that effect will be on the reverse of the card. Other evidence will have to be provided for employers to check eligibility for employment. However, the card will help the holder to establish his/her identity.

Mr. Illsley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much money per (a) individual and (b) family was allocated to Barnsley metropolitan district council in respect of (i) council housing for asylum seekers and (ii) financial support for asylum seekers in the last 12 months. [10947]

Angela Eagle: In the year from 1 April 2000 to 31 March 2001 Barnsley metropolitan district council received £629,478.62 in grant for supporting asylum seekers, including unaccompanied asylum seeking children. This was based on unit costs of (a) £140 per week per single person and (b) £240 per week for a family. This amount is inclusive of (i) housing and (ii) other support.

5 Nov 2001 : Column: 88W

Barnsley is a member of the Yorkshire and Humberside consortium and provides housing under contract to National Asylum Support Service but it is not possible to identify the amounts directly attributable to Barnsley.

Mr. Illsley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers in Barnsley metropolitan borough council are funded by the Government. [10942]

Angela Eagle: The available information comes from the National Asylum Support Service (NASS) which supports asylum seekers who applied for asylum on or after the 3 April 2000. Information is not available centrally on the number of asylum seekers in Barnsley who are funded by the Government under the Interim Support Scheme.

Statistics from NASS, for the end of July 2001, show that 160 ¹ ^, ² asylum seekers (including dependants) were being supported in NASS accommodation in Barnsley.

A further 150 ¹ ^, ² , asylum seekers (including dependants) were receiving voucher only support from NASS in the Yorkshire and Humberside region, which includes Barnsley.

¹ Figures rounded to the nearest 10.

² Cases which have had their support ceased are excluded from these figures.

Mr. Malins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) asylum seekers, and (b) others applying under immigration law whose cases and appeals have failed (i) left the UK voluntarily and (ii) remained in the UK; if he is aware of their whereabouts; and if he will make a statement. [9442]

Angela Eagle: 550 persons left the United Kingdom under the Voluntary Assisted Returns Programme in 2000. It is not possible to say how many other persons voluntarily left the United Kingdom without the knowledge of the Home Office, or left voluntarily after enforcement action had been initiated.

Comprehensive information on the number and location of persons who remain in the UK after having exhausted their rights of appeal is not available.

5 Nov 2001 : Column: 89W

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