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27 Oct 2003 : Column 121W—continued
Jamaican Prisoners
Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of women prisoners
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are (a) Jamaican nationals and (b) Jamaican nationals convicted of drug-trafficking offences in each of the last five years. [132317]
Paul Goggins: The information on the percentage of women prisoners who are (a) Jamaican nationals and (b) Jamaican nationals convicted of drug-trafficking offences in each of the last five years is provided in the following table.
| Percentage of female prisoners who are: | ||
|---|---|---|
| Jamaican nationals | Jamaican nationals convicted of drug-trafficking offences(33) | |
| 1998 | 4.4 | 3.1 |
| 1999 | 5.3 | 4.0 |
| 2000 | 5.6 | 4.4 |
| 2001 | 8.9 | 6.8 |
| 2002 | 11.5 | 9.9 |
(33) Drug-trafficking offences are defined here as unlawful import/export, possession with intent to supply and unlawful supply.
National Criminal Intelligence Service
Mr. Simon Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for how many staff at the National Criminal Intelligence Service have monitoring of allegations of bribery of foreign public officials is specifically as part of their job description; what percentage of time they are recommended as part of their job description to give such monitoring; and in which department of NCIS they are based. [132370]
Ms Blears: The National Criminal Intelligence Service has one member of staff who acts as the point of contact for allegations of bribery of foreign public officials. This role is included in the individual's job description although no recommended time is allocated to fulfil the role. These arrangements have been sufficient to discharge properly the responsibilities involved. The individual is a member of the International Division of the National Criminal Intelligence Service.
Mr. Simon Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many allegations of corruption the National Criminal Intelligence Service has received since (a) 14 February 2002 and (b) January 2003 following the Memorandum of Understanding on Implementing Part 12 of the Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001; how many of these allegations have resulted in investigations; and whether any charges have been brought or arrests made under Part 12 of the Act. [132371]
Ms Blears: The National Criminal Intelligence Service has logged the following notifications of corruption:
- (a) Four in total since 14 February 2002.
(b) Two since January 2003.
Police Forces (DNA Samples Retention)
Mr. Pike: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment his Department has
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made of the extent to which the extension of powers for police forces to retain DNA samples of suspects could (a) help prevent miscarriages of justice and (b) increase detection rates. [134177]
Caroline Flint: Proposals in the Criminal Justice Bill to allow the police to take and retain DNA from persons arrested for a recordable offence will help contribute to the prevention of miscarriages of justice by eliminating suspects from police inquiries at an early stage of an investigation.
It is estimated that in the first year of implementation using current National DNA Database statistics and police performance rates, there will be nearly 2,000 additional detections as a result of these proposed changes.
Prisons
Mr. Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether it is his policy that the Prison Service should promote the procurement of British food; what guidance he has issued to the prison service about food procurement; and if he will make a statement; [129363]
- (2) how much the Prison Service spent on food in (a) 2001–02 and (b) 2002–03; how much food was wasted in each year; and if he will make a statement. [129365]
Paul Goggins: The Prison Service procures food using contracts awarded in accordance with European Union (EU) procurement regulations, taking account of quality of product, cost and availability. The EU regulations are designed to support fair and open competition, allowing British suppliers to compete for business with other members of the Community.
The Prison Service is working with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on the Sustainable Food Procurement Initiative, which is part of the Government's Strategy for Sustainable Farming and Food. This is intended to encourage the public sector to procure food in a manner that promotes sustainable development and does not discriminate against local and UK suppliers. As part of this, the Prison Service has developed an action plan that will be used to measure progress towards meeting the initiative's objectives.
The Prison Service spent £40,155,638 on food in 2001–02 and £42,357,666 in 2002–03. We have no estimate for the amount of food wasted in 2001–02, but the indicative figures for the current year suggest that waste is currently about 8 per cent.
Professional Footballers
Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what advice he has issued to chief constables on invoking legislation relating to assault, violent behaviour and anti-social behaviour involving professional footballers during football matches; and if he will make a statement. [132833]
Ms Blears [holding answer 20 October 2003]: Individuals playing in football matches and other sports events are subject to the same laws and police powers as other citizens. Following consultation with the football authorities and other agencies, the Association of Chief
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Police Officers has issued guidance on the involvement of the police on the field of play. That guidance makes clear that while match officials are responsible for dealing with incidents on the pitch, the police retain the right to intervene should it be necessary in the interests of safety or the maintenance of public order. Incidents which may lead to the involvement of the police include violent or abusive behaviour directed to other persons on the playing surface and words or behaviour by players or club officials which are likely to inflame spectators. A decision on whether to intervene, or charge any individual for an offence committed, during a football match is an operational matter for the local police force concerned.
Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department under what powers professional footballers may be charged for offences of assault, violent behaviour and anti-social behaviour during a football match. [132834]
Ms Blears [holding answer 20 October 2003]: Individuals playing in football matches and other sports events are subject to the same laws and police powers as other citizens. Following consultation with the football authorities and other agencies, the Association of Chief Police Officers has issued guidance on the involvement of the police on the field of play. That guidance makes clear that while match officials are responsible for dealing with incidents on the pitch, the police retain the right to intervene should it be necessary in the interests of safety or the maintenance of public order.
Remand Prisoners
Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to his answer of 23 June 2003, Official Report, column 603W, on remand prisoners, (1) how many (a) unconvicted and (b) convicted unsentenced prisoners have been held in prison for more than 24 months in each of the last five years; [131768]
- (2) what assessment he has made of the reasons for the recent change in the number of prisoners held on remand for more than 24 months. [131651]
Paul Goggins: I refer the hon. Member to my letter of 16 October 2003.
Victim Support
Mr. Leigh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what progress has been made in taking forward the recommendations on recruiting volunteers to provide support to victims in high crime areas made in the Committee of Public Accounts' 17th report of 2002–03 'Helping Victims and witnesses: the work of Victim Support'. [134176]
Paul Goggins: The Home Office is actively considering the recommendations made both in the National Audit Office Report 'Helping victims and witnesses: the work of Victim Support', and in the 17th report of the Committee of Public Accounts. Regular meetings are held between Victim Support and the Home Office to address these issues, including looking at how to increase the number of volunteers in higher
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crime areas. We are considering ways to establish stronger links with minority ethnic and inner city community based organisations, making more effective use of paid staff and more imaginative approaches to volunteering, such as linking volunteering to accredited educational programmes.
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