House of Commons Hansard Written Answers for 24 Sept 2002 (pt 1)

24 Sept 2002 : Column 441W

Written Answers to Questions

Tuesday 24 September 2002

HOME DEPARTMENT

Written Questions

Mr. Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the written questions asked of him between (a) 1 to 30 June 2001, (b) 1 to 31 July 2001, (c) 1 to 30 September 2001, (d) 1 to 31 October 2001, (e) 1 to 30 November 2001, (f) 1 to 31 December 2001, (g) 1 to 31 January 2002, (h) 1 to 28 February 2002, (i) 1 to 31 March 2002 and (j) 1 to 30 April 2002 that had not received a substantive answer by 30 April; and if he will state (i) the name of the hon. Member asking the question and (ii) the reasons the question had not received a substantive answer. [54081]

Mr. Blunkett [holding answer 2 May 2002]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend, Leader of the House of Commons (Mr. Cook) on 2 May 2002. For the Home Office, the number of outstanding questions for each month between June 2001 and April 2002 as at 30 April 2002 is shown in the table. The table also shows those that were still outstanding on 12 September 2002.

Outstanding PQs

Month Total PQs At 30 April 2002 At 12 September 2002

1–30 June 2001 136 0 0

1–31 July 2001 495 0 0

1–30 September 2001 0 0 0

1–31 October 2001 427 4 0

1–30 November 2001 641 9 4

1–31 December 2001 343 13 7

1–31 January 2002 661 42 13

1–28 February 2002 555 53 13

1–31 March 2002 512 106 19

1–30 April 2002 705 421 13

		Outstanding PQs
Month	Total PQs	At 30 April 2002	At 12 September 2002
1–30 June 2001	136	0	0
1–31 July 2001	495	0	0
1–30 September 2001	0	0	0
1–31 October 2001	427	4	0
1–30 November 2001	641	9	4
1–31 December 2001	343	13	7
1–31 January 2002	661	42	13
1–28 February 2002	555	53	13
1–31 March 2002	512	106	19
1–30 April 2002	705	421	13

We recognise that our performance in answering Parliamentary Questions needs to be improved and we are working closely with directorates and our business change and Information Technology (IT) partners to improve the situation.

Departmental Secondments

Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many staff in his Department have been seconded to jobs in the (a) private and (b) public sector in each of the last four years. [31783]

Hilary Benn: Secondments are part of the Interchange initiative, which promotes the exchange of people and good practice between the Civil Service and other organisations. All sectors of the economy are

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involved: Voluntary, Education, Health, Public and Private. Interchange provides opportunities for civil servants to learn new skills, widen their experience and develop ideas. It also brings in skills and experiences from other sectors.

The number of Home Office staff seconded out to private and public sector organisations is set out in the table. Information for 2001–02 is not yet available.

1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02

Private sector 2 3 11 —

Public sector *162 *80 *94 —

	1998–99	1999–2000	2000–01	2001–02
Private sector	2	3	11	—
Public sector	*162	*80	*94	—

* The figures given for Home Office staff seconded to the public sector include posts overseas.

IT Contracts

Richard Younger-Ross: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the total expenditure of his 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). [33676]

Hilary Benn: To obtain information on the total Information Technology spend for the years requested would involve disproportionate cost. However, the following information on high value Information Technology Information Systems (IT)/(IS) expenditure is available.

1. Total expenditure (at £10 million and only)

Year Expenditure

1997 23,599,999

1998 25,000,000

1999 29,000,000

2000 25,666,666

2001 66,466,666

Year	Expenditure
1997	23,599,999
1998	25,000,000
1999	29,000,000
2000	25,666,666
2001	66,466,666

The significant increase in expenditure in 2001 was due to the letting of the Sirius contract at £25 million and the letting of a contract to Bull for IT hardware and infrastructure support for over £10 million.

2. Contracts let/year (at £10 million and only)

Year Contracts let

1997 0

1998 1

1999 2

2000 1

2001 2

Year	Contracts let
1997	0
1998	1
1999	2
2000	1
2001	2

3. How many suppliers have been registered in:

England and Wales

Scotland

Northern Ireland

Foreign Companies

4. What are the names of the suppliers registered in England and Wales:

Sirius Consortium (ICL/Global Crossing/PricewaterhouseCoopers

CMG

Bull/Integris (now Steria))

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Disclosure of Interests

Mr. Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what rules apply to the disclosure

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of interests on the part of those serving on public bodies which are responsible to his Department. [56464]

Beverley Hughes: All executive and advisory non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) are required to adopt a board members' code, based on guidance produced by the Cabinet Office, and they should have a register of interests.

The following table lists the NDPBs sponsored by the Home Office and in each case indicates what the relevant Code of Practice is and where it is available.

Name of body Code of Practice Where available

Executive NDPBs

Central Police Training and Development Authority (CENTREX) Yes. A register of interests is being established which will be open to public scrutiny. Available on request from Central Police Training and Development Authority, Bramshill, Hook, Hampshire RG27 0JW.

Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) Yes with a register of interests. Available for inspection on request at the CRE's London office.

Community Development Foundation Yes with a register of interests. Policy on disclosing interests also contained in Standing Orders. Standing Orders available on request from Community Development Foundation.

Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) Yes entitled Code of Best Practice and Rules of Conduct. By appointment at the CCRC's office in Birmingham.

Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority Not applicable—no public appointments.

Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner No. The two Public Appointees, (the Commissioner and the Deputy Commissioner) have been invited to confirm in writing adherence to the Cabinet Office code of practice and terms stating adherence will be written into future appointees' terms of apointment. Preparation for a register of interests in hand.

Parole Board Yes with register of interests. The Code as set out in "The Parole Board for England and Wales—Policy and Procedures" is available on request from the Parole Board. The register may be inspected on request, by writing to the Chief Executive of the Parole Board.

Police Complaints Authority (PCA) Yes with register of interests. Available for inspection by appointment at the PCA's offices at 10 Great George Street, London SW1P 2AE.

Police Information Technology Organisation (PITO) Yes with register of interests. Currently under review. Code available from PITO committee services. Register of interests published in the annual report (see www.pito.org.uk).

The Natonal Criminal Intelligence Service and the National Crime Squad Bodies established on 1 April 2002. Policy on disclosing interests contained in standing orders. Code of practice to be drawn up. Standing orders available on request from the Service Authorities.

Youth Justice Board (YJB) England and Wales Yes Available on request from the YJB.

Advisory NDPBs

Advisory Board on Restricted Patients (ABRP) Yes. Available from ABRP in paper form.

Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs No. Preparation in hand.

Animal Procedures Committee (APC) Yes with register of interests. www.apc.gov.uk. Also published in the APC annual report, a copy of which is placed in the Library of the House.

Firearms Consultative Committee (FCC) No. Declaration of interests is published in Annual Report. Membership of the FCC expired in January 2002 and its future is under review.

Poisons Board The membership of the Poisons Board has been recently reconstituted after a lapse of 11 years. A new code of practice will be developed in due course.

Police Negotiating Board No. Preparation in hand.

Prison/Probation Accreditation Panel Yes. Uses Cabinet Office's model code of practice.

Race Relations Forum Membership expired November 2001. The future of the Forum is under review.

Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act Technical Advisory Body This body was established in April 2002. The code of practice is in preparation.

Sentencing Advisory Panel (SAP) Yes with register of interests. Copies of Code of Practice are available from the SAP. Members' interests are published in its Annual Report.

Tribunal NDPBs

Criminal Injuries Compensation Appeals Panel Yes. Uses Cabinet Office's model code of practice.

Investigatory Powers Tribunal No

Misuse of Drugs Advisory Body No. Currently in abeyance.

Misuse of Drugs Professional Panel No. Currently in abeyance.

Misuse of Drugs Tribunal No. Currently in abeyance.

Office of the Surveillance Commissioners No.

Police Arbitration Tribunal No.

Police Discipline Appeals Tribunal No.

Other NDPBs

Boards of Visitors to Penal Establishments No. Members abide by the Prison rules, which contain provisions for disqualifying from membership, any person interested in any contract for the supply of goods or services to a prison.

Name of body	Code of Practice	Where available
Executive NDPBs
Central Police Training and Development Authority (CENTREX)	Yes. A register of interests is being established which will be open to public scrutiny.	Available on request from Central Police Training and Development Authority, Bramshill, Hook, Hampshire RG27 0JW.

Commission for Racial Equality (CRE)	Yes with a register of interests.	Available for inspection on request at the CRE's London office.

Community Development Foundation	Yes with a register of interests. Policy on disclosing interests also contained in Standing Orders.	Standing Orders available on request from Community Development Foundation.

Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC)	Yes entitled Code of Best Practice and Rules of Conduct.	By appointment at the CCRC's office in Birmingham.

Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority	Not applicable—no public appointments.

Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner	No. The two Public Appointees, (the Commissioner and the Deputy Commissioner) have been invited to confirm in writing adherence to the Cabinet Office code of practice and terms stating adherence will be written into future appointees' terms of apointment. Preparation for a register of interests in hand.

Parole Board	Yes with register of interests.	The Code as set out in "The Parole Board for England and Wales—Policy and Procedures" is available on request from the Parole Board. The register may be inspected on request, by writing to the Chief Executive of the Parole Board.

Police Complaints Authority (PCA)	Yes with register of interests.	Available for inspection by appointment at the PCA's offices at 10 Great George Street, London SW1P 2AE.

Police Information Technology Organisation (PITO)	Yes with register of interests. Currently under review.	Code available from PITO committee services. Register of interests published in the annual report (see www.pito.org.uk).

The Natonal Criminal Intelligence Service and the National Crime Squad	Bodies established on 1 April 2002. Policy on disclosing interests contained in standing orders. Code of practice to be drawn up.	Standing orders available on request from the Service Authorities.

Youth Justice Board (YJB) England and Wales	Yes	Available on request from the YJB.

Advisory NDPBs
Advisory Board on Restricted Patients (ABRP)	Yes.	Available from ABRP in paper form.

Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs	No. Preparation in hand.

Animal Procedures Committee (APC)	Yes with register of interests.	www.apc.gov.uk. Also published in the APC annual report, a copy of which is placed in the Library of the House.
Firearms Consultative Committee (FCC)	No. Declaration of interests is published in Annual Report. Membership of the FCC expired in January 2002 and its future is under review.
Poisons Board	The membership of the Poisons Board has been recently reconstituted after a lapse of 11 years. A new code of practice will be developed in due course.

Police Negotiating Board	No. Preparation in hand.

Prison/Probation Accreditation Panel	Yes. Uses Cabinet Office's model code of practice.

Race Relations Forum	Membership expired November 2001. The future of the Forum is under review.

Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act Technical Advisory Body	This body was established in April 2002. The code of practice is in preparation.

Sentencing Advisory Panel (SAP)	Yes with register of interests.	Copies of Code of Practice are available from the SAP. Members' interests are published in its Annual Report.

Tribunal NDPBs
Criminal Injuries Compensation Appeals Panel	Yes. Uses Cabinet Office's model code of practice.

Investigatory Powers Tribunal	No

Misuse of Drugs Advisory Body	No. Currently in abeyance.

Misuse of Drugs Professional Panel	No. Currently in abeyance.

Misuse of Drugs Tribunal	No. Currently in abeyance.

Office of the Surveillance Commissioners	No.

Police Arbitration Tribunal	No.

Police Discipline Appeals Tribunal	No.

Other NDPBs
Boards of Visitors to Penal Establishments	No. Members abide by the Prison rules, which contain provisions for disqualifying from membership, any person interested in any contract for the supply of goods or services to a prison.

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