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11 Jan 2005 : Column 483W—continued
Identity Fraud
Mr. Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the work of the Passport Service to reduce identity fraud. [206614]
Mr. Browne: As indicated in its 2004–09 Corporate and Business Plan, the UK Passport Service is taking forward a range of initiatives to reduce identity fraud through strengthened identity authentication and improved fraud detection and prevention. The Passport Service's programme of work which has been informed by, and is closely related to the recommendations of the Cabinet Office study on identity fraud published in 2002, includes:
Improving systems and staff training in identity authentication, and increasing the professionalism of its fraud investigation capability;
Improving the security of the passport book, through the introduction of biometric chip enabled passports from autumn 2005;
Use of its new Omnibase, and Lost/Stolen/Recovered global passport databases to detect and prevent fraud;
Working with law enforcement agencies to apprehend, disrupt and dismantle the activities of those involved in identity fraud; and
Supporting the work of the Home Office's Identity Fraud Steering Committee in promoting closer public/private sector collaboration in combating identity fraud.
Announcing on 27 October our decision in principle to establish a new Executive Agency to issue identity cards starting in 2008.
This Agency would incorporate the functions of the UK Passport Service. Implementation of its planned programme of work, including all of the above actions and projects to reduce identity fraud, would act as building blocks for a future ID card enrolment network and system, and smooth the introduction of secure biometric ID cards and the national identity register, assuming the relevant legislation is enacted by Parliament.
Immigration Offences
Mr. Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) prosecutions and (b) convictions have been secured in each of the last four quarters for which data is available for offences under section 8 of the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996. [206884]
Paul Goggins: The information contained in the table gives the number of defendants proceeded against and found guilty at all courts for offences under the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996, Section 8, England and Wales 2003.
(144) These data are on the principal immigration offence basis.
IND Case
Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when officials at the Immigration and Nationality Directorate will resolve the immigration status of a constituent of the hon. Member for Vauxhall, reference number: A530709. [203534]
Mr. Browne: A Senior Director of Operations in the Immigration Nationality Directorate sent an interim reply to my hon. Friend on 9 December 2004.
Muslim Prisoners
Mrs. Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) female and (b) male prisoners who classify themselves as Muslims are held in each prison service establishment in England and Wales. [199535]
Paul Goggins [holding answer 29 November 2004]: The information requested, as recorded on the Prison Service central IT system on 31 October 2004, is provided in the table.
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Oakington Reception Centre
Ms Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what provisions are in place to ensure that staff at Oakington Reception Centre obtain senior level authorisation before detaining children. [206242]
Mr. Browne:
The initial detention of all applicants, including families with children, accepted for transfer to Oakington Reception Centre is authorised at the appropriate level prior to their transfer to the Centre by the detaining port, local enforcement office (LEO) or Asylum Screening Unit (ASU).
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Following the transfer of any family to Oakington for their application to be considered, detention is reviewed within 48 hours by the Assistant Director or by an Inspector in her absence.
Passports
Mr. Lilley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of the British population has a passport. [206143]
Mr. Browne [holding answer 20 December 2004]: As at the end of November 2004, the proportion of the UK population that holds a valid passport is between 72 per cent. and 81 per cent. of the resident population.
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