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9 Jun 2004 : Column 424W—continued
Criminal Records Bureau
Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what representations he has received on assistance to small voluntary organisations with obtaining Criminal Records Bureau checks on volunteers; and if he will make a statement; [174667]
(2) what assessment he has made of the effect on small voluntary organisations of delays in obtaining Criminal Records Bureau checks on volunteers; and if he will make a statement. [174669]
Ms Blears: The Department has received a range of representations from the voluntary sector. We encourage dialogue with voluntary organisations in order to address issues relevant to the sector—both through the Voluntary and Community Service Working Group, which regularly brings together representatives of a variety of interests, and other standing consultative bodies; and on other, ad hoc, occasions. Currently, the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) is reviewing the network of umbrella registered bodies through which smaller organisations may submit applications, in order to ensure that coverage is sufficient to meet the need. We are anxious also to continue to pursue discussions with the sector about other, cost-effective, means by which voluntary organisations might access the CRB.
Specific information is not available about the length of time the CRB takes to process applications from voluntary organisations. It is the normal practice of the CRB to process applications on a chronological basis, according to date of receipt, irrespective of the sector. Information is routinely collected about the CRB's overall performance against its service standards. Since June 2003, the CRB has been issuing on average 93 per cent. of all Standard and Enhanced Disclosures within two and four weeks respectively, against published service standards of 90 per cent. The CRB's aim is constantly to strive to make further improvements to the service that it provides.
Dangerous Driving
Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been prosecuted in each of the last 10 years for driving (a) under age, (b) without a licence, (c) while excluded and (d) without insurance. [169070]
Paul Goggins: The information requested is contained in the table:
(17) Data are on the principal offence basis and exclude companies, local authorities etc.
(18) Includes offences of driving under age and without licence.
(19) Excludes Staffordshire.
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Offences of driving under age and without a licence are included along with other similar offences in the group 'Driving, or causing or permitting another person to drive other than in accordance with a licence' and cannot be separately identified. Statistics on court proceedings for 2003 will be published in the autumn.
Date Rape Drugs
Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will list the (a) types and (b) effects of date rape drugs; [174467]
(2) what advice he has given to (a) police forces and (b) club operators on date rape drugs; [174468]
(3) what research his Department has (a) conducted and (b) commissioned on the illegal use of date rape drugs; and if he will make a statement. [174471]
Caroline Flint: We take the issue of drug assisted sexual assault and allegations of it very seriously. Penalties for this crime were recently increased in the Sexual Offences Act 2003 to a maximum of 10 years. It is an offence to administer a stupefying substance with the intent of overpowering the victim to engage him or her in sexual activity.
There are potentially very many drugs. Any drug that causes a degree of sedation could potentially be used in a case of 'drug rape'. Drugs which are currently tested for by the Forensic Science Service where 'drug rape' is alleged include: Gammahydroxybutyrate (or GHB) and the benzodiazepine family of drugs such as temazepam and flunitrazepam (Rohypnol). The sedative effects of drugs are likely to be increased when mixed with alcohol.
This issue is one where there is much public concern with very little evidence of the prevalence of the crime. An average 450 allegations of this type are investigated by the Forensic Science Service annually. Of these only between 1 and 2 per cent. show any sign of an unexplained sedative drug.
It is important that any allegation of sexual assault is investigated and the victim is supported by appropriate services whether or not drugs are involved.
An Action Plan was launched in July 2002 to implement the recommendations of the HMCPSI/HMIC joint investigation into the investigation and prosecution of cases involving allegations of rape. This includes 'drug rape' and work with the Association of Chief Police Officers has seen improved guidance to the police. This includes a joint police and Crown
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Prosecution Service training package and the Joint Operational Police Instructions (JOPI) which were published in June 2003. The "Core Investigative Doctrine" and the "Sexual Offences Investigation Manual of Guidance" are also currently being updated by Centrex.
The Safer Clubbing Guidance is to be updated later this year and will specifically contain guidance on the prevention of, and provision of information on, drug assisted sexual assault. This guidance is distributed to licensed premises, the police, licensing authorities and the local authority via Drug Action Teams.
Deepcut Barracks
Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many potential witnesses were (a) contacted and (b) interviewed by MoD police detective constables seconded to the Surrey police for the duration of the investigations into deaths at Deepcut Army barracks. [174753]
Ms Blears: Surrey police informs me that two Ministry of Defence police officers seconded to Surrey police undertook a range of tasks, which included contacting and interviewing witnesses. Surrey police also informs me that it is unable to identify the numbers involved without incurring a disproportionate cost.
Deportee Prisoners
Mrs. Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many deportees remained in English prisons after completing their sentences for a period of more than three months on the most recent date for which information is available. [174841]
Mr. Browne [holding answer 24 May 2004]: Information on the number of people who were detained in Prison establishments awaiting deportation after completion of a criminal sentence is not available.
Work is ongoing to improve the quality of data held on those people detained under Immigration Act powers in Prison Service establishments.
Domestic Violence
Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) men and (b) women have been convicted of domestic violence during the last 12 months for which figures are available. [174491]
Paul Goggins:
Offences involving domestic violence are not identifiable on the Home Office Court Proceedings database as no specific statute covers such offences.
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Prosecutions brought might range from common assault to homicide depending on the level of violence, and as the circumstances of the offences for which prosecutions are brought are not collected centrally, offences involving domestic violence cannot be distinguished from other offences within these categories.
Dr. Harold Shipman
Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to his answer of 29 April 2004, Official Report, column 1298W, on Dr. Harold Shipman, whether the entire body was disposed of; who authorised the disposal; what method was used for disposal; and if he will make a statement. [171993]
Paul Goggins: The body of Harold Shipman has been released to his family by the coroner. Once a coroner's inquiries have been completed and the release authorised, the decision on disposal is a private matter for the family of the deceased.
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