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Prosecutions (Conduct)
Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Solicitor-General what (a) internal and (b) external reviews have been conducted on the conduct of prosecutions, on what dates and by whom in the last three years. [35950]
The Solicitor-General [holding answer 14 February 2002]: Each prosecuting authority has in place systems that support performance reviews generally, and case specific reviews when appropriate. HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate has a rolling programme of inspections covering the performance of all CPS Areas over a two-year period, and it undertakes thematic reviews of areas of prosecution work three or four times a year. With effect from 1 April it will assume responsibility for the inspection of Customs & Excise prosecutions.
There is no central log maintained of individual internal and external reviews of the conduct of the prosecution by prosecuting authorities operating within the jurisdiction of England and Wales. Speedy collection and provision of this information could not be undertaken without disproportionate cost.
Traffic Accidents
Mr. Gray: To ask the Solicitor-General (1) what discussions she has had with the Inspectorate of the Crown Prosecution Service about the number of Crown Court prosecutions for death by dangerous driving.[38532]
- (2) when she intends to publish the Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate's report on sentencing policy with regard to road traffic accidents. [38533]
The Solicitor-General: HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate is at present in the closing phases of a thematic review of the advice relating to, and the prosecution of, road traffic offences involving fatalities in England and Wales. The purpose of the inspection is to analyse and assess the quality of advice to police, decision-making, case preparation and presentation by the CPS in relation to those cases. It has also examined the extent, adequacy and consistency of communications and assistance provided by the CPS to
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relatives of the victims and witnesses in the cases. However, it does not extend to sentencing policy which is outside the remit of the Inspectorate.
The Chief Inspector has kept me and the Attorney General informed of the progress of the inspection but we have had no other discussions about prosecutions for death by dangerous driving.
The Chief Inspector expects to publish the report in June.
EDUCATION AND SKILLS
Working Conditions and Practices
Dr. Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment has been made of the effect of the Working Time Directive on her Department's employees; how many employees are working in excess of 48 hours per week; what steps she is taking to reduce this number; and if she will make a statement. [35898]
Mr. Ivan Lewis: Under the Working Time Regulations the Department is required to:
- inform employees that they cannot be forced to work for more than 48 hours a week on average over a 17-week period and that they can only opt out of the limit by signing a written agreement;
- keep opt out records for two years;
- check how much time each employee spends working and monitor those close to the working limit;
- keep records of night workers and offer regular health assessments; and
- check that the Department has complied with the new regulations on night work, time off, rest breaks and paid annual leave.
- In line with these responsibilities, staff were informed that there is no obligation to work more than 48 hours per week over a 17-week period but they can volunteer to do so by signing a written agreement. We instructed managers that they must avoid imposing workloads or setting deadlines that oblige their staff to work excessive hours unless it is necessary to meet operational need. In addition, we required local managers to check on staff who may work close to the limit and make arrangements to reduce hours wherever possible.
- Copies of all opt out agreements are kept for two years and currently cover two per cent. of the workforce. We also confirmed that employee terms and conditions already covered the requirements in the regulations relating to night work, time off, rest breaks and paid annual leave. The percentage of staff opting out is reviewed regularly to ensure that the number required to work in excess of the limit is kept to the absolute minimum.
Prisoners (Distance Learning)
Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many prisoners undertook distance learning courses, including Open University courses, in the last 12 months for which figures are available; how many of these courses were paid for (a) at their own expense and (b) through a charitable trust or person; and if he will make a statement. [37679]
John Healey: Information on the number of prisoners undertaking distance learning courses is not available. The number of prisoners in the first year of an undergraduate course at the Open University in 2000–01 in England and Wales was 144, whilst the number registered for Open University courses at all levels is 398. It is not possible to give an accurate
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breakdown on the numbers of courses that are self-financed or funded through a charitable trust or person; however, upwards of 950 distance learning courses were funded or part funded by charitable bodies last year.
Maintained Primary Schools
Mr. Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (a) how many and (b) what
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percentage of pupils were in maintained primary school classes of 31 or more in each year from 1997 for (i) East Sussex Local Education Authority, (ii) the South-East region and (iii) England. [37909]
John Healey: The data requested are shown in the table:
| East Sussex Local Education Authority | South East Government Office Region | England | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of pupils in classes of 31 or more | % of pupils in classes of 31 or more | Number of pupils in classes of 31 or more | % of pupils in classes of 31 or more | Number of pupils in classes of 31 or more | % of pupils in classes of 31 or more | |
| 2001 | 12,687 | 36.0 | 132,487 | 21.5 | 848,961 | 21.1 |
| 2000 | 13,960 | 40.1 | 172,262 | 27.7 | 1,071,720 | 26.5 |
| 1999 | 18,621 | 50.8 | 210,761 | 35.6 | 1,278,607 | 31.5 |
| 1998 | 17,511 | 49.1 | 219,040 | 35.1 | 1,411,366 | 34.8 |
| 1997 | 23,330 | 45.7 | 205,178 | 33.3 | 1,344,231 | 33.4 |
Source:
Annual Schools' Census.
1 Includes middle deemed primary schools.
Job No: 713438 Folios: 2040
Social Exclusion Unit
Mr. Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, pursuant to the answer of 14 February 2002, Official Report, column 555W, on the Social Exclusion Unit, what steps have been taken to train Connexions workers in child and adolescent mental health. [39779]
Mr. Ivan Lewis: It is very important that young people with mental health problems are identified quickly and referred to the specialist services that they need. Connexions personal advisers are not intended to be specialists in the area of mental health but they are being trained to identify behaviours in young people that might indicate the need for support from a specialist. To date over 1,900 Personal Advisers have either completed or are currently undertaking Connexions training.
SCOTLAND
Asylum Centre (Edinburgh)
Mrs. Lait: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions she has had with ministers and officials of the Scottish Executive about the proposed asylum centre near Edinburgh. [39671]
Mrs. Liddell: The Scotland Office has regular contacts with the Minister for Social Justice about asylum seeker issues, including the latest Home Office proposals about the development of new centres.
Mrs. Lait: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans she has to meet the Home Secretary to discuss his plans for an asylum seekers' centre near Edinburgh. [39688]
Mrs. Liddell: My Department is in regular contact with Lord Rooker, Home Office Minister for immigration and nationality matters, to discuss a range of issues, including those affecting asylum seekers.
Mrs. Lait: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when she first learned of plans to build an asylum seekers' centre near Edinburgh; and what her policy is on the construction of the centre. [39673]
Mrs. Liddell: My Department keeps in regular touch with the Home Office on asylum seeker and other relevant policy issues. The former RAF Turnhouse site is one of a number of potential areas for development and will be subject to detailed consultation with relevant interests.
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