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17 Nov 2003 : Column 712W—continued
Street Crime Initiative
Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what aspects of the Street Crime Initiative he intends to implement in all areas. [138367]
Ms Blears: Police forces not involved in the Street Crime Initiative will benefit from best practice circulated by the Association of Chief Police Officers
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and the Home Office's Police Standards Unit, including a CD Rom, Tactical Options from the Street Crime Initiative, which has been distributed to all police forces. Lessons are also being learnt from the Street Crime Initiative relating to the handling of street crime cases through the Criminal Justice System by the police, Crown Prosecution Service and the courts. These lessons, about getting the case right from the start, providing better support for victims and witnesses, and managing cases robustly in court, are being applied more widely as part of the work on bringing more offences to justice and improving public confidence in the criminal justice system.
Terrorism Act 2000
Mr. Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for authorisations under section 44 of the Terrorism Act 2000 received in the last three years have been (a) successful and (b) unsuccessful. [138506]
Mr. Blunkett: Home Office records show that since the Terrorism Act came into force on 19 February 2001, 678 stop and search authorisations under section 44 of the Terrorism Act 2001 have been confirmed. Of these there have been two instances where the powers have not been confirmed by the Secretary of State.
Each authorisation is given full consideration. They are confirmed only if the Secretary of State is satisfied that their use is necessary to prevent acts of terrorism as set against the background of the current threat level.
Work-related Stress
Dr. Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases of work-related stress have
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been reported in his Department in each of the last three years; how much compensation has been paid to employees; how many work days have been lost due to work-related stress; and at what cost; what procedures have been put in place to reduce work-related stress, and at what cost; and if he will make a statement. [136841]
Fiona Mactaggart: Information on sickness absence and compensation payments due to 'work-related' stress are not collected centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
The Department does, however, monitor factors relating to workplace stress including workload and working conditions through its staff surveys. The Department has taken action to address some of the main identified factors, including filling vacancies, recognition of good performance and improving technology. The Home Office is committed to supporting staff in achieving a balance between their work and home responsibilities and has a range of flexible working patterns to help staff achieve this.
A welfare service is available and offers personal support for staff suffering from any form of stress. In addition, stress awareness courses are available and information on how to recognise stress and suggested coping strategies, is accessible via the Home Office Intranet. The aim of these resources is to help staff recognise the early signs of stress and take appropriate action.
The Department is aware of its legal obligation to provide a safe working environment for employees and is committed to meeting targets for reducing the number of working days lost generally due to work related injuries and illness arising from the government's Revitalising Health and Safety initiative.