| Previous Section | Index | Home Page |
Independent Schools Council
Mr. Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he proposes to respond to requests made in September 2000 by the Independent Schools Council about the visa regime for students from Commonwealth countries who take up temporary employment in independent schools. [41870]
Angela Eagle: The Joint Entry Clearance Unit of the Home Office and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office replied to the Independent Schools Council (ISC) on 21 September 2000 outlining the routes open to independent schools seeking to engage teaching assistants from outside the European Economic Area.
The ISC has expressed an interest in the planned amendment, to reflect the National Minimum Wage Act, of a concession, outside the immigration rules, which facilitates the entry of voluntary workers from overseas. The ISC will be advised of the details of the amendment shortly.
Miscarriages of Justice
Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what psychiatric aftercare is given to victims of miscarriages of justice. [38361]
Mr. Keith Bradley: [holding answer 5 March 2002]: In order to obtain psychiatric aftercare, a victim of a miscarriage of justice will first need to contact their own
19 Mar 2002 : Column 280W
GP for an assessment of their individual requirements. Having due regard to their patient's current needs, and previous medical history, the GP will then refer the case for any appropriate specialist treatment.
A working group was set up to look at the support and assistance that may be needed for prisoners who have successfully appealed against conviction. The group has not yet concluded its work but expects to put recommendations to Ministers shortly.
Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what training psychologists, who have been charged to treat the problems of the victims of miscarriages of justice, are given. [38362]
Mr. Keith Bradley [holding answer 5 March 2002]: Individuals who have suffered from a miscarriage of justice, and have a need for psychological support, will first need to approach their own GP for a referral. In making such a referral, the GP will have regard to both relevant experience and training before selecting an appropriate psychologist.
A working group was set up to look at the support and assistance that may be needed for prisoners who have successfully appealed against conviction. The group has not yet concluded its work but expects to put recommendations to Ministers shortly.
Visas (Romania)
Mr. Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to abolish visa requirements for visiting students from Romania; what discussions he has had with that country's Government on the abolition of the requirement for UK students to have visas when visiting Romania; and if he will make a statement. [41914]
Angela Eagle [holding answer 11 March 2002]: A visa regime will normally be imposed where there is evidence of sustained abuse of our controls. All visa regimes are kept under review, and are only maintained where they contribute to effective immigration control. There continue to be large numbers of Romanian nationals seeking asylum or being found here illegally. In the circumstances there are no plans to lift the visa requirement for Romanian nationals. United Kingdom citizens do not require visas to visit Romania, but any who wish to study there will need to fulfil the requirement of the Romanian immigration regulations. We have had no discussions with the Romanian government on the conditions they attach to United Kingdom students studying in Romania.
19 Mar 2002 : Column 281W
Asylum Accommodation Centres
Mr. Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will begin the local consultations on the proposed asylum accommodation centres. [41934]
Angela Eagle [holding answer 11 March 2002]: Home Office officials are currently in the process of holding meetings with local authorities in all eight locations. Those meetings will include making arrangements for a consultation exercise in each area.
Yarl's Wood
Alistair Burt: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he had on the insurance arrangements in case of riot at Yarl's Wood Detention Centre at the time of the making of the contract between Group Four and his Department for the operation of the Centre; and if he will make a statement. [38783]
Angela Eagle: The contract with Group 4 Amey Immigration Limited requires the Contractor to effect and maintain or procure in full force and effect insurance in the joint names of the contractor and the Crown in respect of a full range of insurance.
Mr. Sayeed: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether persons suspected of arson and attempted arson were transferred to Yarl's Wood detention centre prior to the major fire there; and if he will make a statement. [39524]
Angela Eagle: There is at present no specific evidence that such persons were held at Yarl's Wood removal centre. However, it must be remembered that the overseas background of an individual—including any criminal activities—will not usually be known at the time of their detention.
Individuals detained under Immigration Act powers who are known or assessed to present a serious control or security risk, or those who have served a prison sentence of more than 12 months, would normally be held in prison rather than a removal centre pending the resolution of their immigration status or, if appropriate, deportation. The Immigration Service has taken steps to identify high risk individuals held in removal centres and have made arrangements for them to be transferred to prison.
Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what training personnel received for managing Yarl's Wood removal centre; and if he will make a statement. [41150]
Angela Eagle: Section 155 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 requires that custodial functions at removal centres be performed by certified Detainee Custody Officers. A certificate of authorisation to act as a Detainee Custody Officer will not be issued unless my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is satisfied that the applicant is (a) a fit and proper person to perform the functions to be authorised and (b) has received training to such standard as the Secretary of State considers appropriate for the performance of those functions. In addition to these statutory requirements, contracts to operate removal centres require the contractor to implement a full training programme for all staff, supervisors and managers in a range of appropriate skills and procedures.
19 Mar 2002 : Column 282W
European Excellence Model
Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the European Excellence Model scores were for each of the probation areas, including the National Probation Service, during the recent evaluation; and if he will make a statement. [41153]
Beverley Hughes: A table containing the scores achieved by the local probation areas and by the National Directorate is set out in the table. The scores across the 42 operational areas ranged from 150 to 330 and the average was 243. The National Directorate score was 100. This was to be expected from an organisation that was only created on 1 April 2001 and is still building its capacity and introducing first time business processes. The maximum achievable score is 1,000. In order to achieve an excellence award an organisation would need to score 600–700.
19 Mar 2002 : Column 283W
| Next Section | Index | Home Page |