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Written Answers to Questions

Thursday 7 February 2002

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

Antisocial Behaviour Orders

38. Roger Casale: To ask the Solicitor-General if she will make a statement on the arrangements in place between Crown Prosecution Service, the police and local authorities to ensure that antisocial behaviour proceedings are effective. [31438]

The Solicitor-General: The Crime and Disorder Act 1998 lays down that there should be local partnerships for crime reduction, including antisocial behaviour. All key agencies, including the police, local authorities and the CPS work according to the "antisocial behaviour protocol". There has been guidance and joint training for all the agencies.

Prosecution Disclosure

39. Ian Lucas: To ask the Solicitor-General what plans she has to introduce legislation to reform prosecution disclosure in criminal cases. [31439]

The Solicitor-General: The Government have consulted on Lord Justice Auld's proposals for reform of prosecution disclosure in criminal cases. Following the consultation period which ended on January 31, we are considering our response and have said that our proposals will be set out in a White Paper in April. Any plans to legislate to reform prosecution disclosure in criminal cases will be made public in April.

Civil Service Pension Scheme

43. Sue Doughty: To ask the Solicitor-General what assessment has been made of the risk of the Government facing a legal action under the Human Rights Act 1998 regarding the civil service pension scheme. [31443]

The Solicitor-General: It is a long-standing convention enshrined in the Ministerial Code, that neither the fact that the Law Officers have advised on a matter, nor the content of any advice which they may have given, is disclosed outside Government other than in exceptional circumstances. This is to protect the confidentiality of the legal advice given to the Government. The Government, like everyone else, should be able to get the legal advice which they need to perform their functions, without having to explain or justify this to outsiders, or indeed to reveal that it has concerns about the legal position. This ensures that the Government seek, and get, frank advice where appropriate without having to worry about any political and presentational implications.

Domestic Violence

44. Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Solicitor-General if she will make a statement on the role of her Department in dealing with domestic violence. [31444]

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The Solicitor-General: The role of my Department in relation to domestic violence is to promote the safety of victims of abuse and to hold offenders accountable for their actions.

The work needed to address domestic violence issues extends far wider than any one Department's remit. This is why I have established with ministerial colleagues a Ministerial Committee on domestic violence.

We are working closely with colleagues across government to draw up a national strategy addressing domestic violence issues that relate not just to the civil and criminal courts, but also to matters of health, education, child protection, refuges and housing.

Fair Trade Fortnight

Mr. Lazarowicz: To ask the Solicitor-General what steps she is taking to encourage participation by her Department in fair trade fortnight from 4 to 17 March. [33554]

The Solicitor-General: The Law Officers' Departments—the Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers, the Crown Prosecution Service, the Serious Fraud Office and the Treasury Solicitor's Department—have no plans to participate in fair trade fortnight.

The individual Departments are, however, always ready to consider fair trade products when these represent good value and all encourage ethical purchasing as an element in their purchasing policies.

IT Contracts

Richard Younger-Ross: To ask the Solicitor-General what has been the total expenditure of her Department on IT systems and support in each year from May 1997 to date; how many IT contracts have been let in each of those years; of the other main contracting party in each of those contracts, how many have been (a) companies whose registered office is in (i) England and Wales, (ii) Scotland and (iii) Northern Ireland and (b) foreign companies; and what are the names of the companies falling within category (a). [33692]

The Solicitor-General: I will write to the hon. Member shortly.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

Individual Learning Accounts

11. Mr. Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many arrests have been made in connection with fraud of the Government's individual learning accounts scheme. [31411]

John Healey: Forty-four arrests have been made in relation to allegations of fraud with the operation of the individual learning account programme. Twelve people have been charged, one of whom has been convicted.

13. Mr. Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will announce the date on which the scheme to replace individual learning accounts will commence. [31413]

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John Healey: We are determined to review thoroughly all aspects of the operation of the ILA scheme. During January and February we are conducting a consultation with providers, learners and other stakeholders. The results will be an important element in developing a successor scheme.

21. Tony Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when she expects to announce a replacement for individual learning accounts. [31421]

John Healey: We are determined to review thoroughly all aspects of the operation of the ILA scheme. During January and February we are conducting a consultation with providers, learners and other stakeholders to take their views. The results will be an important element in developing a successor scheme.

23. Mr. Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what measures she will take to ensure that ILA providers are fully compensated following the closure of the scheme. [31423]

John Healey: The Department has no plans to compensate learning providers in relation to the closure of individual learning accounts.

Mr. Boris Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether Capita staff at the ILA computer centre have been (a) arrested and (b) investigated by the police in the last six months. [33984]

John Healey: There have been no arrests of Capita staff employed at the ILA centre. On Friday 23 November the Department called in police to investigate serious potential fraud and theft involving individual learning accounts. Details of the continuing investigations are a matter for the police. However, to date no evidence has been found to support any allegations that Capita employees have been involved in the abuse of ILAs.

Pupil Attainment

12. Dr. Naysmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on the proportion of pupils in the last two years reaching the end of compulsory schooling without a qualification. [31412]

Mr. Ivan Lewis: The proportion of pupils reaching the end of compulsory schooling without a qualification in 2001 fell for the sixth year in a row to 5.5 per cent. In 2000 the proportion of pupils leaving without a qualification was 5.6 per cent.

Student Loans

14. Andrew Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on her plans for reviewing the operation of the system of student loans. [31414]

Margaret Hodge: We shall announce the outcome of the review of student finance when it is complete and we will consult on any proposals for change.

34. Mr. Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when she intends to publish a consultation document outlining options for a new system of student support; and if she will make a statement. [31434]

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Margaret Hodge: We shall announce the outcome of the review of student finance when it is complete and we will consult on any proposals for change.

Modern Apprenticeships

16. Mr. Challen: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on the introduction of modern apprenticeships in schools. [31416]

Mr. Ivan Lewis: The Government are working with the Learning and Skills Council to develop a pilot preparatory apprenticeship model for 16-year-olds and above in schools, who may progress to a full modern apprenticeship with an employer later. Further more detailed plans for strengthening the work-related learning element in schools, as part of our strategy for a more coherent and flexible 14–19 phase of education and training, will be published in due course.

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