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Ports (Security)

Shona McIsaac: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what security measures are in place for the ports of (a) Grimsby, (b) Immingham, (c) Hull and (d) Goole. [111462]

Mr. Jamieson: I have been asked to reply.

It is not the practice to disclose details of security measures.

Refugees

Mr. Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans are being made to reduce the percentage of refugees entering Europe who ultimately settle in the United Kingdom over the next decade. [111299]

Beverley Hughes: The Government are working on a number of measures to reduce the numbers of spontaneous arrivals of people seeking asylum in Europe and to address the problem of secondary movements of asylum seekers within the EU.

Domestically, the measures in the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 will deter and prevent people who do not need international protection but lodge asylum applications in order to circumvent immigration controls, from entering the UK.

Together with our European partners, the Government is active in numerous joint projects and operations to strengthen the EU's external borders. Stronger EU borders will have a significant impact on the numbers of illegal immigrants arriving in the UK. The first round of operations is currently being evaluated in order to set priorities for future action.

The Government has also worked to secure a more effective mechanism to replace the Dublin Convention, determining which Member State is responsible for considering an asylum application lodged in one of the Member States of the EU. The Dublin II Regulation will enter into force in September this year. The Eurodac fingerprint database is now operational, and will provide much better evidence to support the determination of responsibility. Together, the Dublin II regulation and the Eurodac system will enable the UK to effect the return of a greater number of asylum seekers to the Member State most responsible for their presence on EU territory.

The UK has been active in negotiations to put in place minimum standards for reception conditions for asylum seekers, for asylum procedures and for qualification as a refugee across the EU. The proposed Qualification Directive, for example, will result in a more consistent interpretation of the definition of a refugee and ensure that each Member State accords refugees comparable rights and benefits. This should discourage those in genuine need of international protection from "asylum shopping". The reduction of both the real and the perceived advantages of applying in certain Member States over others should deter secondary movements of asylum applicants within the EU.

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In the longer term, we believe that our proposals for 'zones of protection' will make a significant contribution to better international management of refugees and asylum-seekers. These ideas are now being discussed with other Member States, the European Commission and United Nation High Commission for Refugees and we are encouraged by the support we have received to date. These 'zones' are designed to improve the quality and availability of protection for refugees who need it, while ensuring we strengthen the management of our borders and can have proper control of who comes into the UK.

Road Safety

Mr. Miller: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the policy of the Metropolitan police is on charging (a) victims and their families of road death or serious injury and (b) dependants for police reports, witness statements and collision investigation reports on such incidents in respect of incidents occurring (i) within the Metropolitan police area and (ii) partly within the Metropolitan police area and partly in neighbouring police authority areas. [111197]

Mr. Bob Ainsworth: In each of the areas listed, the Metropolitan police follow the charging policy adopted by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO). The ACPO standard requires the recovery of administration and reproduction costs applicable to all police records, including copies of road collision investigation reports.

In cases involving serious road traffic incidents, local senior police officers have discretion to waive charges where, for example, payment would bring hardship or cause distress. The decision can also depend on the timing of the request and whether it comes from a third party. In some cases, the full circumstances of an incident may lead to a charge being levied.

Disclosure of relevant police records to victims and dependants is clearly a sensitive issue. We will examine it carefully as part of pilot projects, due to commence later this year, on how best to meet the support needs of serious road crash victims.

Street Crime (Redbridge)

Linda Perham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research his Department has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on reducing street crime within the London borough of Redbridge. [111745]

Mr. Bob Ainsworth: The Home Office has not commissioned any research which is specific to Redbridge. It has however commissioned a report on trends in crime statistics (including street crime) across London, which involves all the London boroughs. The results have not yet been evaluated.

Theft Victims

Mr. Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the circumstances in which police issue lost property numbers rather than crime numbers to victims of theft. [111463]

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Mr. Bob Ainsworth: Prior to 2001 lost property numbers, rather than crime numbers, were issued by the police to members of the public who perceived themselves to be victims of theft but where there was insufficient evidence to show that a crime had been committed. The lost property numbers were issued primarily for insurance purposes.

Since 2001 everyone who reports a theft to the police, whether real or perceived, should be issued with a crime number not a lost property number. This change occurred following a report from Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary in July 2000 that set out the extent and causes of variations in police recording practices. One of the conclusions reached was that there was a need for all forces to have in place an accurate and ethical crime recording system.

Whilst allegations which clearly have no basis in fact are now weeded out of the published recorded crime statistics, they all require initial recording as a crime, and a written justification if the matter is not pursued.

Work-related Deaths

Mr. Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to create a specialist police unit to investigate work-related deaths. [110827]

Mr. Bob Ainsworth: Within the context for policing in England and Wales, I have no plans to create a specialist police unit to investigate work-related deaths. However, the Health and Safety Executive, Crown Prosecution Service, the Association of Chief Police Officers, Local Government Association and British Transport Police have produced a revised protocol for investigating work related deaths. The protocol sets out the principles for effective liaison between the organisations responsible for investigating work related deaths in England and Wales

Young Offenders Institutions

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what resettlement work is conducted with remand prisoners in young offenders institutions. [109603]

Hilary Benn: Resettlement work with remand prisoners in young offender institutions seeks to prevent the avoidable loss of accommodation, employment and family ties. Work is also undertaken to address education needs and drug misuse.

Job centre Plus surgeries, providing benefit and employment advice and support to 18 to 20-year-olds on remand as well as sentenced prisoners, will be established in young offender institutions during 2003–04. The Youth Justice Board for England and Wales is seeking to improve resettlement work with remand prisoners aged 15 to 17 in young offender institutions through the provision of seconded youth offending team workers.

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FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Anglo/US Discussions

Mr. Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with members of the United States Administration regarding (a) Zimbabwe, (b) Iran, (c) North Korea and (d) Syria. [110588]

Mr. Rammell: Our policy toward both Iran and Syria has most recently been discussed with the US Administration in the context of the current crisis in Iraq. With regard to both, the UK remains committed to a policy of constructive and, where necessary, critical engagement, which allows us to support reform while maintaining a robust dialogue on issues of concern.

We are in regular and close consultation with the US Administration on the issue of North Korea's nuclear programmes. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister discussed this with President Bush most recently on 26 March, and I visited Washington for talks with senior Administration colleagues at the beginning of April. We will continue to work with the US and other key partners to find a peaceful and lasting resolution to this issue.

My noble Friend Baroness Amos discussed Zimbabwe with Walter Kansteiner, US Assistant Secretary of State for Africa, when they met on 30 April.

Mr. Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the US Administration regarding the future of the (a) European Union and (b) United Nations. [110711]

Mr. Rammell: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary is in frequent contact with his US counterpart, Colin Powell, on a range of subjects. These sometimes include issues connected with both the European Union and the United Nations.

Mr. Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the US Administration regarding the (a) German and (b) French Administration. [110713]

Mr. Rammell: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary is in regular contact with his US counterpart, Colin Powell. Discussions usually cover a wide range of issues.

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