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21 Jun 2004 : Column 1192W—continued

Pesticides Tax

Mr. Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her policy is on a pesticides tax. [179595]

Alun Michael: A Voluntary Initiative to reduce the environmental damage caused by the agricultural use of pesticides has been in place since April 2001. In Budget 2004 the Government confirmed the view that the initiative will be effective in reducing the environmental pollution associated with pesticides provided that it is fully implemented. However, to cover the possibility that the initiative might not deliver the required environmental benefits within a reasonable time scale, the Government have kept the options for a tax or economic instrument under review.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Departmental Decisions (Judicial Review)

Mr. Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) which decisions by his Department were challenged by judicial review in session (a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99 and (c) 1999–2000; and in how many cases the (i) Department's decision was upheld by the court, (ii) court found for the applicant, (iii) Department submitted to the judgment and (iv) Department appealed successfully against the decision; [158466]

(2) which decisions by his Department were challenged by judicial review in the session 2002–03; and in how many cases the (a) Department's decision was upheld by the court, (b) court found for the applicant, (c) Department submitted to the judgment and (d) Department appealed successfully against the decision. [161158]

Paul Goggins: There are no central records containing the information sought. This could be obtained only by consulting individual case files and would involve disproportionate cost. There are no central records containing the information sought. This could be obtained only by consulting individual case files and would involve disproportionate cost. The Administrative Court's records are organised by reference to the subject matter of judicial review claims, not the government department concerned. They contain the following information for immigration and asylum claims, which make up more than 90 per cent. of the judicial review cases brought against the Home Office.
Asylum, October2002 to November 2003

	Number
Claims received	2,693
Claims allowed	36

Non-Asylum Immigration Cases, October 2002 to November 2003

	Number
Claims received	272
Claims allowed	2

Asylum, October 1997 to September 2000

	Number
Claims received	5,748
Claims allowed	(6)685

⁽⁶⁾ which is 11.9 per cent. of the total



Non-Asylum Immigration Cases, October 1997 to September 2000

	Number
Claims received	1,117
Claims allowed	(7)50

⁽⁷⁾ which is 4.5 per cent. of the total

These figures show that in the period in question of the immigration judicial review cases brought against the Home Office only 10.7 per cent. were successful.

Drug Treatment and Testing Orders

Phil Sawford: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people in (a) England and Wales and (b) Scotland have been given a drug treatment and testing order in each year for which figures are available who otherwise would have received a prison sentence of over six months. [174852]

Paul Goggins: Information about how many offenders in England and Wales and Scotland given a drug treatment and testing order (DTTO) who would otherwise have received a prison sentence of over six months is not available.
 
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It is impossible to predict with any degree of accuracy what the outcome of cases where a DTTO was made would have been if the DTTO had not been available as a sentencing option. However, the DTTO is targeted at offenders with entrenched patterns of drug misuse who have generally committed a considerable amount of crime to fund their drug habit. While the vast majority of DTTO cases are likely to be heard in the magistrates courts, a significant number (perhaps as many as a quarter) of offenders on DTTOs are sentenced at Crown court. In view of the frequency and seriousness of offences committed by offenders in the target group, we anticipate that a significant proportion of those who are sentenced to DTTOs would otherwise have been sent to prison.

Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many drug treatment and testing orders were made in Crosby in 2003–04. [177937]

Paul Goggins: According to data from the National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse, 60 drug treatment and testing orders (DTTOs) were commenced within the area covered by Sefton Drug Action Team in 2003–04, of which five related to residents of Crosby.

Electoral Fraud

Mr. Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will review the sentencing guidelines for electoral fraud to strengthen their deterrent effect. [179222]

Mr. Leslie: I have been asked to reply.

My Department does not issue or review sentencing guidelines. That is a matter for the Sentencing Guidelines Council. However, I will keep this matter under review and if it appears that guidelines are necessary I may ask the Sentencing Guidelines Council to consider the issue.

ICT

Mr. Simon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his targets are for improving the information and communication technology (ICT) skills base of staff within (a) his Department and (b) its agencies; and what method he uses to certify the competence levels achieved by staff receiving training in ICT. [173713]

Fiona Mactaggart: Through the formal performance and development reporting process line managers would normally assess the competencies of staff in using information and communication technology (ICT) to carry out their work.

The target for the Home Office and its agencies (excluding non-departmental public bodies) is for all staff to obtain the standard competency level in the computer systems that they use regularly (e.g.Word processing).

The Home Office has developed a strategy that identifies the skills required and creates opportunities for staff to develop and make best use of the technology available to them. Across the Home Office and its agencies we have defined IT competencies that are aligned with European standards, such as the European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL). This is the
 
21 Jun 2004 : Column 1194W
 
internationally recognised qualification used in over 125 European countries, which enables people to demonstrate their competence in computer skills.

As part of the rollout of new PC software across the Home Office and the Immigration and Nationality Directorate the Home Office intends to provide access to electronic learning tools for all core computer systems.

Furthermore the Home Office will also provide opportunities for staff to gain advanced level competencies and qualification through the British Computer Society and the internationally recognised Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) certification.

National Criminal Intelligence Service

Mr. Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the total funding of the National Criminal Intelligence Service has been in each year since its inception; and how many (a) directly employed staff, (b) contracted in staff and (c) seconded officers it had in each year. [177469]

Caroline Flint [holding answer 9 June 2004]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Altrincham and Sale West (Mr. Brady) on 6 May 2004, Official Report, column 1699W.

I also refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Winchester (Mr. Oaten) on 15 June 2004, Official Report, column 863 W.

Probation Hostels

Mrs. Helen Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many probation hostels are operational in England and Wales; how many places were available in probation hostels in England and Wales on the latest date for which figures are available; and how many of those places were occupied by (a) bailees and (b) convicted sex offenders. [172267]

Paul Goggins: There are 100 approved premises in England and Wales. During March 2004 2,198 places were available. No central data are available on the number of places occupied by bailees or those convicted of sexual offences.

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