| Previous Section | Index | Home Page |
International Migration
Mr. Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what (a) mechanisms are in place and (b) methodology is employed to assess the impact of international migration on (i) cultural and community cohesion, (ii) housing demand and (iii) the economy, wage-levels and unemployment when determining (A) his policy on immigration and (B) the accepted number of migrants to this country. [85905]
Mr. Byrne [holding answer 17 July 2006]: The Government set no target figure for the number of migrants to Britain, but shapes their policies regarding admission to the country on the basis of their international and humanitarian obligations and of the interests of the nation. In doing so they do not rely on any single mechanism or methodology, but draw on a wide range of statistical and other data to reach their assessments.
Internet Child Safety
Judy Mallaber: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will move the information on his Department’s website on internet child safety away from the section marked ‘police’ into a section where it can easily be found by those seeking information. [88385]
Mr. McNulty: The main Home Office website for the public—www.homeoffice.gov.uk—was redeveloped in October 2005. The information published on it follows a design and navigational structure that was heavily tested on actual public users of the website, who helped dictate its user-friendly structure. Indeed the main Home Office website was recognised in a recent independent report published by Precedent Communications as being the best of the 32 UK public sector websites they assessed.
The main information on child protection on the internet is held in the ‘police’ area of the site as most of it is aimed at practitioners. But, in addition to this the information aimed at the general public is cross referred on the main site. Under the top-level navigational title ‘Crime & victims’, there is a section that describes what government is doing to reduce crime (which has a page dedicated specifically to internet crime) and another section that describes what members of the public can do to prevent crime (which in turn has a page on how to stay safe online).
In both of these cases there is a wealth of useful information about how to keep children safe online, as well as a link under ‘Related Documents’ to a document called ‘Guidance on how to search safely’.
Also using terms such as ‘child protection’ or ‘internet safety’ in the Home Office site search will readily find this key information.
In addition about 70 per cent. of traffic to most websites comes from Google and other search engines, so someone interested in child safety online is very likely to type a set of keywords to find what they are looking for. If that person is very distinctly interested in the guidance issued by the Home Office on child safety online, and typed ‘internet child safety, Home Office’ into Google, the ThinkUKnow website and the Home Office Child Protection pages on the police website are the first two entries delivered.
Invest to Save Funding
Mr. Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assistance his Department plans to afford to officials of local authorities who are in receipt of Invest to Save funding prior to the withdrawal of that funding to ensure the continuation of projects supported by it; and if he will make a statement. [83821]
Mr. Byrne [holding answer 10 July 2006]: The Home Secretary has no plans to make a statement on Invest to Save Budget (ISB) funding. The ISB exists to provide funding to help innovative projects get off the ground. ISB funding is explicitly time-limited and is not intended to sustain a project over the long term.
IT Systems
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether (a) VISOR, (b) Exhibit, (c) Libra and (d) other Home Office IT systems are accessible to disabled staff and those who regularly use assistive technology. [24448]
Mr. Byrne: ViSOR (Violent Offender and Sex Offender Register) user interface has been favourably assessed by accessibility consultants, particularly with regard to its suitability for use with screen reading software. Both xhibit (exchanging Hearing Information By Internet Technology) and Libra are Department for Constitutional Affairs (DCA) IT systems.
Justice and Home Affairs Meeting
Mr. Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the agenda is for the Justice and Home Affairs Ministers' meeting on 1 and 2 June; and if he will make a statement. [69449]
Joan Ryan [holding answer 8 May 2006]: The agenda for the JHA Council meeting on 1 and 2 June is set out as follows. A letter was sent to the chair of the European Scrutiny Committee on the 1 June, in order for the information to reach Parliament in a timely manner. The text of the letter is also set as follows.
2732nd Meeting of the Council Of The European Union (Justice and Home Affairs)
1. Adoption of the provisional agenda.
2. Approval of the list of "A" items.
3. Proposal for a Council Framework Decision on the European Evidence Warrant (EEW) for obtaining objects, documents and data for use in proceedings in criminal matters.
4. Draft Framework Decision on the application of the principle of mutual recognition to judgments in criminal matters imposing custodial sentences or measures involving deprivation of liberty for the purpose of their enforcement in the European Union.
5. Proposal for a Council Framework Decision on certain procedural rights in criminal proceedings throughout the European Union.
6. Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a European Parliament and of the Council establishing a European Small Claims Procedure.
7. Draft Council Decision concerning arrangements for cooperation between Asset Recovery Offices of the Member States.
8. Intelligence-led law enforcement - Council conclusions setting the EU priorities for the fight against organised crime based on OCTA.
9. Counter-Terrorism: - Report on the implementation of the EU-Counter-Terrorism Strategy/Action Plan and the EU Strategy on Radicalisation and Recruitment
11. JHA External relations (a) Ministerial Conference on the "Role of internal security in relations between the EU and its neighbours" (4-5 May 2006, Vienna) (b) Action Oriented Papers Western Balkans and Afghanistan (c) EU-US JHA Ministerial Troika (3 May 2006, Vienna) (d) Meeting between the EU presidency, the Russian Federation and the United States of America at Ministerial level on a Tripartite Cooperation in the field of Justice and Home Affairs, four May 2006 - "Vienna Initiative".
12. Follow-up to Hampton Court: Implementation of priority actions in the area of migration. - Information from the Commission'.
13. A.O.B — Security arrangements in relation with World Cup Football Championships and other major sports events in the margins of the Council—Meeting of the Mixed Committee at Ministerial Level.
l. Level. Adoption of the provisional agenda
2. SIS II - Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the establishment, operation and use of the second generation Schengen information system (SIS II).
3. Common Visa Application Centres - Presentation by the Commission.
“I
thought that it would be useful if I were to outline what I expect to
be discussed at the JHA Council on 1 and 2 June. While the Home
Secretary would normally make a written statement to the House, due to
the timing of recess and the Council, and to make this most useful to
you, I preferred to write after the pre-Council COREPER. There will, of
course, be a written statement on discussion at the Council after
recess. Due to other commitments, the Home Secretary will not be
attending the Council, but Baroness Ashton, the Attorney General, Lord
Goldsmith, and I will be representing the UK. There will be a debate on
the future of Europol with the presidency seeking to agree Council
conclusions. While we are supportive of the Conclusions and in making
Europol's legal instrument more flexible, we believe there is a need to
consider the implications of changing the legal instrument before
taking a final decision. The presidency will seek to reach a general
approach on the European Evidence Warrant. Several issues remain to be
resolved, including the terms of the ground for refusal based on
territoriality and the concerns of those who wish to clarify the scope
of the offences for which dual criminality will not apply. We are
supportive of the presidency's proposals on the territoriality clause,
which would allow us to refuse an EEW where the conduct concerned took
place in this country and would be legal here. The UK does not share
the concern of those who wish to provide clarification in the Framework
Decision of the offences for which dual criminality will not apply but
we are hopeful that a solution can be reached based on compromise
proposals from the presidency. There will be discussion on the
Framework Decision for the Mutual Recognition of Custodial Sentences
within the EU. The presidency has put forward a proposal for the
circumstances in which a prisoner could be transferred without his or
the executing State's consent. The Government accepts the proposal, and
believes that the prisoner's consent should not be required where the
prisoner was to be transferred to the State in which he had his normal
permanent residence. This has clear benefits for prisoners being able
to serve sentences close to their communities and families and should
have an impact in terms of likelihood to re-offend. There is likely to
be a political discussion on the presidency proposal for a framework.
Decision on certain procedural rights. The UK would like to continue
discussion and at this stage and not to close down any options for
taking forward the work. The UK continues to place a strong emphasis on
practical measures to benefit citizens. The presidency intends to
invite Council to agree the
General Approach to the proposed Regulation establishing a European
Small Claims procedure. This text will provide improved and
cost-effective access to justice for European citizens in small claims
across borders and is an initiative which the Government has welcomed.
The presidency will be seeking to achieve agreement on the Draft
Conclusions on the Organised Crime Threat Assessment (OCTA). This is
the first annual OCTA, which replaces the Organised Crime Situation
Report. The UK welcomes the first annual OCTA and supports the
priorities as currently drafted. There will be a report on the
implementation of the EU Counter Terrorism Strategy/Action Plan. We
expect the presidency to reach a general approach on the Council
Decision on Asset Recovery Offices. The UK negotiated changes in
relation to civil recovery proceedings, so that the initiative relates
both to confiscation and civil recovery cases. The UK supports measures
to strengthen international cooperation concerning the recovery of the
proceeds of crime. The Austrian presidency will be seeking to agree a
general approach on the New Financial Frameworks general funding
programme "Security and Safeguarding Liberties" and to one specific
programme within the general programme on "Fundamental Rights and
Justice". The UK welcomes the presidency's efforts to secure agreement
and considers the texts now represent a good basis for future funding
activity. In the mixed committee formation, there will be a
presentation on Common Visa Application Centres. Finally, there will be
a political discussion on the outstanding issues on the regulation on
the second generation Schengen Information System (SIS II) and the
presidency will be hoping to resolve these. The UK does not participate
in this Regulation. However we feel the text needs to be more explicit
on access for asylum authorities. In the margins there will be
presentations on reinforcing the EU emergency and crisis response
capacities and the May 2006 external relations ministerial conference
in Vienna and Sweden will raise security arrangements in relation to
the World Cup and the list of safe countries for the purposes of
asylum."
Kashmir
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent research he has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the amount of money leaving the UK to fund terrorist groups in Kashmir, with particular reference to the activities of Lashkar-e-Taiba; and if he will make a statement. [88187]
Mr. McNulty: The Government do not comment on specific intelligence and security matters, Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) were proscribed in 2001 and are one of a number of organisations whose activities are routinely monitored by the Security Service and law enforcement agencies.
Knives
Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many knives were handed in during the recent amnesty in (a) Waltham Forest, (b) Redbridge, (c) London and (d) in total. [87697]
Mr. Coaker: Figures for the knife amnesty which ran from 24 May to 30 June have been collated by police force area. The total number of items surrendered in London to the Metropolitan police and City of London police was 9,205. On figures recorded by police forces, the total handed in in England and Wales was 89,864.
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the number of illegal knives in circulation after the knife amnesty; and if he will make a statement. [88922]
Mr. McNulty: There are no reliable estimates for the number of knives or offensive weapons in circulation. Knives have many legitimate purposes and, with a few exceptions, can be purchased legally. It is an offence to carry an article with a blade or point in public place without good reason.
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to reduce the number of illegal knives in circulation. [88923]
Mr. McNulty: We held a nationwide knife amnesty from 24 May to the end of June during which just under 90,000 items were surrendered to police forces in England and Wales. Following the amnesty, many forces are focusing on enforcement operations, targeting those who carry knives without good reason. Operation Shield run by the British Transport Police, continues to operate at mainline and underground stations using search technology to detect people carrying weapons on the transport network. Police, in conjunction with Trading Standards officers, have also carried out test purchase operations to identify retailers who are not abiding by the law and selling knives to young people under 16.
In addition, we are tightening legislation through the Violent Crime Reduction Bill, with new powers for Head Teachers to search pupils for knives, a new offence of using someone to mind a weapon and an increase in the age at which someone can be sold a knife from 16 to 18. We have also announced that we will increase the maximum sentence for carrying a knife in a public place without good reason from two to four years.
We are also supporting organisations such as Be Safe, which provide in-school training to young people on the dangers of carrying knives. Through our Connected Fund, we support small community-based organisations working on gun crime, knife crime and gangs issues. The fund is currently running its fifth round, with a closing date for bids of 4 August 2006.
Laptop Document Theft
Mr. Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many documents on laptops within the possession of (a) Ministers and (b) officials have been stolen since 1997. [69520]
Mr. Byrne: It is not possible to determine how many documents may have been taken from Home Office laptop computers reported as stolen or lost since 1997, but none of these were in the possession of Home Office ministers.
To minimise the risk of document theft, laptop computers containing sensitive Home Office material are encrypted in accordance with UK government security requirements.
Life Sentences
Mr. Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will limit the ability of people who pleaded guilty to murder and receive life sentences to appeal against such sentences. [40411]
Mr. Sutcliffe: No. There is no right of appeal against a life sentence imposed following a conviction for murder because this is a mandatory sentence. However, it is appropriate that there should be a right of appeal against life sentence tariffs in murder cases because they are imposed by the court, according to what it thinks is appropriate taking into account the seriousness of the offence, on the basis of its assessment of the facts of the individual case.
Magistrates Courts
Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the operation of section 19 of the Magistrates Courts Act 1980. [64591]
Mr. Sutcliffe: Section 19 of the Magistrates Courts Act 1980 makes provision for the manner in which magistrates courts are to decide whether offences that are triable either way should be tried summarily or on indictment. It will be slightly modified when the new allocation arrangements in Schedule three to the Criminal Justice Act 2003 are brought into force.
Male Rape
Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many convictions there have been for the non-consensual sexual penetration of a male in each of the last five years. [86330]
Mr. Coaker: Data from the court proceedings database held by the Office for Criminal Justice Reform on the number of defendants convicted at all courts for offences relating to non-consensual sexual penetration of a male, in England and Wales, for 2001 to 2004 are contained in the following table. 2004 data shows the inclusion of a new list of offences brought under the Sexual Offences Act 2003, which came into effect on 1 May 2004. 2000 data is not being provided as prior to the implementation of the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 2000 which commenced on 8 January 2001, the offence of buggery (under s.12 of the Sexual Offences Act 1956 as subsequently amended) would have included instances of consensual as well as non-consensual acts. Statistics for 2005 court proceedings will be available in the autumn of 2006.
Malicious Damage Act 1861
Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many (a) males and (b) females in England and Wales were (i) prosecuted for and (ii) convicted of offences under sections (A) 35 and (B) 36 of the Malicious Damage Act 1861 in 2005. [89700]
Mr. McNulty: The information requested is currently unavailable. Data for 2005 will be available in the autumn.
Mental Health
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many forensic psychiatrists per 100,000 population are available to assess the mental state of individuals taken into custody in each police authority area. [77115]
Caroline Flint: I have been asked to reply.
This information is not collected centrally. At 30 September 2005, there were 239 forensic psychiatrists working in the national health service in England.
Ministerial Meetings
Mr. Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when (a) he and (b) his Ministers have (i) met and (ii) had telephone conversations with the editors of the national press to discuss Home Office policy since January 2006; and where the meetings took place. [80643]
Mr. McNulty: Ministers have meetings with the media from time to time and this includes discussions with various national press representatives.
| Next Section | Index | Home Page |