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Drugs

Mr. John Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research he has commissioned in the last five years on the role of cannabis as a gateway drug; what assessment he has made of the effect of the proposed reclassification of cannabis; what recent representations he has received on resources and manpower directed to the detection, arrest and charging of drug dealers; and what plans he has to seek to amend the sentencing powers relating to convicted drug dealers. [40852]

Mr. Bob Ainsworth: On 23 October last year, my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary asked the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs to review the scientific literature on cannabis, including the so-called "gateway effect". The Government have commissioned no separate research of their own.

In assessing the impact of the reclassification of cannabis, the Home Secretary has said that he intends to consider the independent evaluation of the Lambeth cannabis policing pilot and take account of the findings and recommendations of the current Home Affairs Select Committee Inquiry, which has taken a range of evidence on the issues.

A new sentencing option for the courts in respect of convicted drug traffickers, Travel Restriction Orders, will come into force on 1 April 2002. Travel Restriction Orders will give the courts the powers in some circumstances to prevent the overseas travel of a convicted drug trafficker following his or her release from prison.

Mr. Gareth R. Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions there have been under the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 1985 and 2001 for supplying anabolic steroids in each of the last 10 years. [41355]

Mr. Bob Ainsworth: The available statistics, held on the Home Office Court Proceedings database, show that there was one prosecution for supplying or offering to supply anabolic steroids in England and Wales in each of the years 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2000 and three in 1997.

The anabolic steroids were not controlled until September 1996.

Statistics for 2001 will be available in the autumn.

Prison Service

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his Department has applied for additional funding from contingency reserves in

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order to meet increased expenditure resulting from the Prison Service pay review; and if he will make a statement. [41154]

Beverley Hughes: No application has been made for additional funding from contingency reserves. It is intended that the cost of the Prison Service pay review be met from within existing departmental expenditure limits. Proposals to enable this are still under consideration.

Young Offenders Institution (Aylesbury)

Mr. Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if sprinkler systems have been installed at HM YOI Aylesbury. [40844]

Beverley Hughes: In line with current policy sprinkler systems have not been installed in any part of Aylesbury young offenders institution. My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has called for a review of fire safety precautions and the use of sprinklers in young offenders institutions, adult prisons and detention centres.

Probation Arrangements (Tenders)

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what requests he has received to tender for probation facilities arrangements from in-house applicants; and if he will make a statement. [41156]

Beverley Hughes: A report was received from London Probation Area (LPA) which included the proposal that LPA or a consortium of probation areas could run the estates and facilities management services for part of the probation estate. Following legal and procurement advice, it was determined that this request could not be considered as an in-house bid.

Yarl's Wood

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the terms of reference are for the investigations into the disturbances at Yarl's Wood; if the findings will be made public; and if he will make a statement. [41149]

Angela Eagle: The terms of reference for the inquiry being conducted by Stephen Moore are:

"To inquire into the events at Yarl's Wood Removal Centre on the night of 14–15 February 2002 and their causes and to make recommendations designed to minimise the risk of recurrence on the Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) custodial estate in relation to contracts and agreements with service providers, the operation of removal centres, building design and construction, and any other matters considered relevant.

The inquiry will take full account of the inquiries being undertaken by Bedfordshire Police, Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service and Group 4, and will be conducted in a way which does not impede any criminal investigation. In addition, the inquiry will have available expert advice from Her Majesty's Prison Service on matters to do with the above matters."

The findings of the inquiry will be published.

Crime (Licensed Premises)

Mr. George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has on (a) licensing and (b) policing for night clubs and other licensed premises which are identified as generating problems of crime and disorder. [41410]

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Mr. Bob Ainsworth: We have provided the police with strong new powers to deal with disorderly or excessively noisy licensed premises. Section 17 of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001, which came into force on 1 December 2001, allows the police to close premises, instantly, for up to 24 hours where such problems are occurring. We expect the powers to have a deterrent effect and lead to a reduction in the incidence of violence and disorder on licensed premises, as well as providing the police with effective powers to deal with problems when they arise.

The White Paper "Time for Reform" (Cm 4696), published in April 2000, set out the Government's wider proposals for reforming and modernising licensing law. The proposals included a new graduated system of sanctions penalising licensees who failed to comply with licence conditions relating to crime and disorder and other matters. The Government intend to bring forward legislation to implement the White Paper proposals as soon as parliamentary time permits.

Mr. George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his policy is towards enabling police services to charge night clubs and bar proprietors for additional policing costs associated with their premises. [41401]

Mr. Bob Ainsworth: We made it clear in the White Paper 'Policing A new Century: A Blueprint for Reform' that we are concerned about the costs incurred in policing entertainment venues, pubs and clubs, and sporting venues where policing demands impact on policing in the area. We are keen to explore how we might encourage and develop arrangements under which entertainment venues make a contribution to the policing and public order costs generated by their activities.

Mr. George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the need for new police powers to deal with the problems of crime and disorder associated with night clubs and other licensed premises. [41409]

Mr. Bob Ainsworth: A package of measures to tackle alcohol-related crime and disorder were included in the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001. This includes new police powers to close disorderly or excessively noisy licensed premises, instantly, for up to 24 hours, and a toughening up of the law relating to drunkenness and disorder on licensed premises, and to under-age drinking. Working with the police and others, we shall keep the impact of these new measures, which came into force on 1 December 2001, under review as the basis for determining whether new or additional powers are required to assist the police and others in tackling crime and disorder on licensed premises.

Visas

Mr. Flook: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the fee payable by Polish citizens applying for British visas was introduced and for what purpose; how much of the fee goes to the Polish Government; and for what reason British citizens are unable to pay for the visa in Britain. [41868]

Angela Eagle: For many categories of entry to the United Kingdom, Polish nationals do not require a visa before travel i.e. they are non-visa nationals. However,

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there are a number of categories for which prior entry clearance is mandatory for all nationals (apart from those exempt from immigration controls). A standard fee applicable world-wide is levied, according to entry category, by visa sections for each application for entry clearance. This is payable in local currency at the time the application is lodged. Administratively this is the most effective way of collecting and reconciling fee income. The entry clearance operation is self-financing and the fee therefore directly relates to the administration costs involved. None of the fee is received by the Polish Government.

Asylum Accommodation Centres

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Banbury (Tony Baldry) of 5 March 2002, Official Report, column 160W, on asylum seeker accommodation centres, what health facilities will be made available to asylum seekers; and what role (a) local hospitals and (b) other health institutions will be expected to take in the provision of such health care. [42728]

Angela Eagle: Asylum seekers will be provided with primary healthcare on site. Any secondary healthcare needs will be provided for at local hospitals or other health institutions.

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when his Department contacted City of Edinburgh Council to inform them that RAF Turnhouse was being considered as a potential site for an asylum seeker accommodation centre; by what means the information was conveyed; and if he will place the correspondence in the Library. [42731]

Angela Eagle: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Beckenham (Mrs. Lait) on 11 March 2002, Official Report, column 719W. A copy of the original letter will be placed in the Library.

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects the first asylum seeker accommodation centres to be opened. [42738]

Angela Eagle: The aim is that the first centre should open as soon as possible, but a date for this to happen has yet to be settled.

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment his Department has made of the transport facilities available for asylum seekers housed in an accommodation centre at Turnhouse in Edinburgh. [42732]

Angela Eagle: Transport implications will form a part of the planning process for the trial accommodation centres. We will provide for transport for residents where necessary.

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Banbury (Tony Baldry) of 5 March 2002, Official Report, column 160W, on asylum seeker accommodation centres, what purposeful activities he envisages asylum seekers will undertake through volunteering. [42726]

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Angela Eagle: No final decisions have yet been taken so I have nothing to add to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Banbury (Tony Baldry) on 5 March 2002, Official Report, column 159W.

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what freedom asylum seekers who are housed in the proposed new accommodation centres will have to leave the sites. [42725]

Angela Eagle: Asylum seekers who are housed in accommodation centres will be subject to residence and reporting requirements but will otherwise be able to come and go.

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