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21 Nov 2005 : Column 1752W—continued
Foreign Prisoners (Deportation)
Mr. Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to deport foreign convicted criminals held in British prisons; and if he will make a statement. [23187]
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Mr. McNulty: The Prison Service notifies the Immigration and Nationality Directorate of all prisoners identified as foreign nationals so as to enable consideration of their liability for deportation in accordance with the immigration rules. Foreign national prisoners may be released for deportation when they have served the requisite portion of their sentence (as for any prisoner) or up to 135 days early in accordance with the provisions of the Criminal Justice Act 2003. Prisoners notified of a decision to make a deportation order have a right of appeal against the decision before the order is signed and the prisoner removed.
We are looking to ensure that foreign national prisoners liable to deportation are removed promptly.
Forensic Science Service
John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the effects of the introduction of a new IT-based management system by the Forensic Science Service; and if he will make a statement. [26680]
Andy Burnham: The Forensic Science Service (FSS) introduced an integrated IT work management, human resources and finance system into the organisation in August 2002.
The consolidation of HR and operational casework information has resulted in a more effective management process, balancing staff resources to meet casework demand. The system manages exhibits at all stages, ensuring continuity and common operational processes across the FSS. These enhancements to the FSS work management capability have assisted in enabling casework to be delivered more efficiently.
Gang Culture
Mr. Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of antisocial behaviour orders in tackling gang culture. [27632]
Hazel Blears: We are currently conducting an evaluation of antisocial behaviour orders (ASBOs). The outcome of this exercise will provide us with indicative findings on:
1. the extent and circumstances under which ASBOs are effective in tackling antisocial behaviour within our neighbourhoods and communities;
2. how ASBOs work as part of wider strategies to tackle antisocial behaviour and protect communities and residents from the adverse impact of antisocial behaviour.
This research will look at the overall effectiveness of ASBOs in tackling antisocial behaviour, it will not focus on specific aspects of behaviour such as gang culture. Published findings will be available in spring 2006.
General Almog
Dr. Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions (a) his Department and (b) other Government Departments had with (i) the Israeli embassy in London, (ii) Israeli organisations and (iii) the Israeli Government concerning the arrest warrant for General Almog. [17028]
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Fiona Mactaggart: Following the departure of General Almog from the UK, officials of the Israeli Government called on officials at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office at a meeting which was attended by an official from the Home Office. This was the only discussion which involved the Home Office. Information concerning discussions involving other Government Departments is not held by the Home Office.
Home Detention Curfew Scheme
David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been released from prison early since the Home Detention Curfew Scheme was introduced. [21844]
Fiona Mactaggart: The requested information for England and Wales, as recorded on the Prison Service IT system, is in the following table. The results for 2005 are up to 22 October.
| England and Wales | Number |
|---|---|
| 1999 | 14,846 |
| 2000 | 15,515 |
| 2001 | 13,649 |
| 2002 | 20,456 |
| 2003 | 21,197 |
| 2004 | 19,311 |
| 2005(89) | 17,787 |
(89) Figures for 2005 are up to 22 October
Identity Cards
Julia Goldsworthy: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the statement of 18 October 2005, Official Report, column 765, on the Identity Cards Bill, when his Department will publish the Gateway Reviews that have been undertaken with regard to identity cards; which Gateway Reviews have been completed; and if he will publish their (a) red, amber, green status and (b) recommendations. [21155]
Mr. McNulty: The ID cards programme has undergone two OGC Gateway Zero Reviews and one Gateway One Review. The Government have no plans for publishing Gateway Reviews. Publishing the traffic light status awarded by these reviews or their recommendations would be likely to prejudice both the ability of the Office of Government Commerce to examine the effectiveness, efficiency and economy with which other Government Departments exercise their functions and also the formulation and development of Government policy. However the most recent review covering business justification did confirm that the programme was ready to proceed to the next phase.
Mr. Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what he estimates the cost will be per head of introducing identity cards. [28644]
Mr. McNulty:
The current best estimate for the total average annual running costs for issuing biometric passports and ID cards to UK nationals, and running a verification service is £584 million at 2005–06 prices. The current best estimate of the unit cost of an adult passport/ID card package for UK Citizens valid for 10 years is £93 at 2005–06 prices. Within our current
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financial estimates of the whole scheme, it will be affordable to set a charge of £30 at current prices for a stand-alone ID card that is valid for 10 years.
Intensive Supervision and Surveillance Programme
John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what target he has set for improvement in the Intensive Supervision and Surveillance Programme completion rate. [26674]
Fiona Mactaggart: The Youth Justice Board does not set a target for the completion rate of the Intensive Supervision and Surveillance Programme. The completion rate is, however, one of the benchmarks by which it monitors the programme's performance. The benchmark rate for completion is 60 per cent. and the current completion rate is 56 per cent. The shortfall of 4 per cent. is being addressed through the sharing of good practice, the imaginative application of incentive schemes, the use of varied and stimulating programmes to encourage young people to participate fully, and a concentration on enforcement of national standards.
Licensing Act 1964
Mr. Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many violent offences were committed in and around licensed premises in each police authority area in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement. [24118]
Hazel Blears: The available information is for 2002–03, 2003–04 and 2004–05 and is given in the table. Information for earlier years is not currently available.
These figures relate to violence recorded by the police rather than violence committed. Therefore they should not be taken as a complete illustration of the number of violent offences committed in connection with licensed premises.
For example, in certain areas where alcohol-related violence is particularly prevalent, local police are more likely to police city centres on Friday and Saturday nights thus recording more incidents of violent offences committed in connection with licensed premises. If football-related violence is a problem, the choice to send police officers to the match will undoubtedly lead to more violent crime being recorded than if they did not attend. There are other examples, such as the pro-active policing of antisocial behaviour which can increase recorded crime.
(90) Not available.
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