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3 Jun 2003 : Column 88W—continued
Timber
Mrs. Calton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether his Department's procurement policy includes timber used in the construction of departmental building projects; and if he will make a statement. [114608]
Ms Blears: The Department of Health has adopted the model specification clause as proposed by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for the procurement of timber from sustainable sources. This policy is specified in any procurement of timber products.
NHS Estates advise and guide the NHS on sustainable development issues. In April 2002, NHS Estates issued the NHS Environmental Assessment Tool (NEAT). NEAT includes a section on the requirement for timber to be specified from sustainably managed sources.
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Tuberculosis
Mr. Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Health why there is insufficient BCG vaccine to carry out TB immunisation this year in schools in the Southampton Health Authority area. [114088]
Ms Blears [holding answer 16 May 2003]: There is sufficient BCG vaccine in Southampton area and the vaccination programme is being carried out in local schools.
HOME DEPARTMENT
Antisocial Behaviour
Kevin Brennan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Anti-social Behaviour Orders were issued per head of population in each of the police force areas in England and Wales since their introduction; and if he will make a statement. [115234]
Mr. Bob Ainsworth [holding answer 22 May 2003]: The number of notifications received by the Home Office of Anti-social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) issued in England and Wales up to 30 November 2002 (latest available) is given in the table by police force area and per 100,000 population.
We are aware that the numbers of ASBOs made nationally have been consistently under-reported in returns made by magistrates' courts and are considering how reporting can be improved.
(11) From 1 April 2001 Magistrates' Courts Committee areas aligned with police force areas.
(12) ASBOs issued from 1 April 1999 to 30 November 2002.
(13) Estimated population for age group 10 and over. (Source: ONS).
(14) Including City of London.
3 Jun 2003 : Column 90W
Kevin Brennan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many anti-social behaviour orders have been issued in Cardiff since their introduction; and if he will make a statement. [115235]
Mr. Bob Ainsworth [holding answer 22 May 2003]: From copies received centrally of Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) issued we have been able to identify local authority areas involved. The number of notifications received by the Home Office of ASBOs issued within the Cardiff Unitary Authority since their introduction, 1 April 1999, to 30 November 2002 (latest available), is one.
We are aware that the numbers of ASBOs made nationally have been consistently under-reported in returns made by magistrates courts and are considering how reporting can be improved.
Asylum Seekers
Mr. Dhanda: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he is taking to promote advice on sexual health for (a) refugees and (b) asylum seekers in the UK. [113730]
Ms Blears: I have been asked to reply.
Primary care trusts are responsible for providing sexual health services and advice to meet local needs and in particular those who may have special needs such as refugees and asylum seekers.
Department of Health guidance on local commissioning of sexual health and HIV services addresses the needs of asylum seekers and overseas visitors. The Department will shortly publish practical guidance on sexual health promotion and HIV prevention which will cover languages and also the particular needs of asylum seekers and refugees from African communities.
The Department funds the African HIV Policy Network to manage national HIV health promotion work for African communities which includes refugees and asylum seekers.
3 Jun 2003 : Column 91W
Correctional Services
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what role Martin Narey is playing in advising the Government on corrective policy and criminal justice reform. [115431]
Paul Goggins: Martin Narey became Commissioner for the Correctional Services on 10 March 2003. His role is to set the strategic direction for and manage the Directors General of the Prison and Probation Services and to ensure the effective, joint working of the Prison and Probation Services and the Youth Justice Board.
Correspondence
Mr. Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) when he will reply to the letter to him of 31 March from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Miss Zahra Svzeiman; [113438]
- (2) why he has still not replied to the letter dated 31 March from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Miss Zahra Suleiman. [114674]
Mr. Blunkett: I wrote to my right hon. Friend on 21 May 2003.
Sentencing Advisory Panel
Dr. Kumar : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how victims of crime may make their views known to the Sentencing and Advisory Council. [114352]
Paul Goggins: The Sentencing Advisory Panel consults extensively in formulating its advice and welcomes views from anyone who wishes to contribute. Full details are on the Panel's website at www.sentencing-advisory-panel.gov.uk. It is obliged to consult Victim Support. In addition, membership of the Panel is drawn widely and anyone may apply.
As a result of Government amendments to the Criminal Justice Bill, the proposed membership of the Sentencing Guidelines Council, to which the Panel will provide advice, will include those from a non-judicial background, at least one of whom will have experience of the promotion of the welfare of victims.
Criminal Injuries Compensation
Mr. Gale: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the total sum paid in remuneration and expenses to members of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Appeals Fund has been in each of the last five years for which figures are available. [111090]
Paul Goggins: The following data have been supplied by the Appeals Panel, which advises that the figures for 2002–03 are provisional, unaudited figures.
| Financial Year | Panel Members Expenses and Remuneration (£) |
|---|---|
| 1998–99 | 668,819 |
| 1999–2000 | 1,026,804 |
| 2000–01 | 2,725,760 |
| 2001–02 | 2,578,402 |
| 2002–03 | 1,950,000 |
3 Jun 2003 : Column 92W
Criminal Records Bureau
Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the membership, and the changes thereto, of the Programme Board established to oversee the Criminal Records Bureau implementation; when it was established; and on how many occasions it has met. [112039]
Paul Goggins: The Programme Board convened on a monthly basis from 7 July 1999 until 23 March 2002. It was chaired by the Chief Executive of the Passport and Records Agency (previously the United Kingdom Passport Agency (UKPA)) and was composed of Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) managers, members of Home Office policy and implementation teams, representatives from police forces and the Scottish Criminal Records Organisation. Representatives of Capita also attended following the contract award.
The membership varied according to the topics requiring discussion. Other representatives were drafted in as required, but they were not officially regarded as members. The Agenda covered topics under the headings of:
- programme development and implementation;
policy developments;
relationships with further parties including police;
contractor selection and subsequently operation of the CRB/contractor Public-Private Partnership; and
contract management.
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