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16 Dec 2009 : Column 1391W—continued
Hacking
Chris Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what co-operation is taking place with other governments to facilitate best practice in countering hacking of computer systems; and if he will make a statement. [306538]
Alan Johnson: The Government take attacks on computer systems very seriously, and recognise that the problem is an international one. We work bilaterally and through multi-lateral institutions to ensure that there is an agreed international approach to tackling this crime.
We are working with the Council of Europe to ratify the Cybercrime Convention, as well as with the European Union and the G8. Law enforcement agencies such as the Serious Organised Crime Agency work closely with their international counterparts to tackle cross-border cyber crime.
Internet: Children
Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps his Department is taking to enable children to use the internet in a safe manner. [306323]
Mr. Alan Campbell [holding answer 15 December 2009]: The Government launched the UK Council for Child Internet Safety (UKCCIS) in September 2008, to bring together Government, industry, charities, law enforcement and others to collectively work to help children stay safe online.
We have now launched the UKCCIS strategy, "Click Clever Click Safe", which sets out what is being done to keep children safe online. This is the first strategy of this kind produced anywhere in the world, and was launched alongside our online version of the Green Cross Code: "Zip it, Block it, Flag it". We want to see the digital code become as familiar as "Stop, Look, Listen." We believe that this work, across a number of sectors, will help children to stay safe online.
Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps his Department is taking to educate children on best practices on internet usage. [306324]
Mr. Alan Campbell [holding answer 15 December 2009]: The Home Office and the Department for Children, Schools, and Families jointly chair the UK Council for Child Internet Safety (UKCCIS). One of the recommendations of the Byron Review was that a "one stop shop" for internet safety information for children should be created. UKCCIS has agreed that the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) should act as this one stop shop, building on the success of its "Think U Know" website.
The "Think U Know" website provides practical safety information for children in relevant and easy-to-understand ways, with different sections for different age groups. This information will help children to understand the internet, the risks that they might face, and how to protect themselves. The site also provides a direct link to CEOP for children who feel threatened online to report the threat through CEOP's "Report Abuse" button.
Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps his Department is taking to educate parents on best practices on the internet in order to protect their children. [306325]
Mr. Alan Campbell [holding answer 15 December 2009]: The Government created the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) in 2006 to help protect children online. As part of their remit, CEOP provide safety information to parents, carers and teachers.
This is set out in the "Think U Know" website, which provides practical safety information for adults to allow them to keep children safe online. This information will help adults to keep themselves safe, and to help children to understand the internet, the risks that they might face, and how to protect themselves. The site also provides a direct link to CEOP for children who feel threatened online to report the threat through CEOP's "Report Abuse" button.
When we created CEOP, we recognised the need to develop a law enforcement capability to fight the sexual abuse of children in the online environment, and to provide a national body to act as the national centre for this crime.
Since its inception, CEOP has been a remarkable success. It has rescued over 300 children, and has led to the arrest of a significant number of people seeking to harm children. It has also developed the leading UK child internet safety website, "Think U Know", which provides practical safety information for adults to allow them to keep children safe online. This information will help adults to keep themselves safe, and to help children to understand the internet, the risks that they might face, and how to protect themselves.
With this record of success, I believe that the time is right to give CEOP a legal identity of its own. I am therefore announcing today that we will strengthen CEOP's role in protecting children by granting it NDPB status. This will allow CEOP to respond quickly and effectively to emerging online threats and to take on additional work relating to the protection of children at a national level.
Police
Mr. Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what policy is in force in the Metropolitan Police in respect of facial piercing for police officers; and if he will make a statement. [307255]
Mr. Hanson: This is a matter for the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis.
Home Office Circular 54/2003 outlines guidance for recruitment process checks for police officers which
includes guidance on piercings. A copy of the circular is available at the following address:
Police recruitment guidance for England and Wales police forces stipulates that candidates with facial piercings may be eligible for appointment. The nature, location, prominence and appearance of any facial piercing needs to be considered against the overall requirements of the role and with due consideration to the health and safety of the officer and members of the public.
It is for force managers to consider whether the acquisition of a facial piercing by a serving officer may constitute a breach of the Code of Professional Standards for police officers or constitute a risk to the health and safety of the officer. Each case is considered on its merits by the police force concerned.
Police: Pay
Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many officials were eligible for performance bonuses and special bonuses in the Independent Police Complaints Commission by civil service band in each of the last three years; how many people received each type of bonus; what the average payment was for each type of bonus; and what the maximum payment was for each type of bonus. [306100]
Mr. Hanson: The Home Office does not hold this information. These are matters for the IPCC and they will write directly to the hon. Member.
Repatriation
Dr. Pugh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department to what countries foreign nationals subject to the Facilitated Returns Scheme have been repatriated. [303325]
Mr. Woolas: The UK Border Agency does not publish a breakdown by nationality of foreign nationals removed under the Facilitated Returns Scheme.
The Home Office publishes information on the individuals removed or departed voluntarily from the UK on a quarterly and annual basis, which are available from the Library of the House and from the Home Office's Research, Development and Statistics website at:
Work Permits
Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which academic qualifications qualify work visa applicants for additional points under the points-based system. [305248]
Mr. Woolas: The points based system consolidates approximately 80 immigration routes into a five tier system.
Academic qualifications score points only in certain categories of tiers one and two. The points value of the relevant academic qualifications are available at:
Written Questions: Government Responses
Andrew Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he plans to respond to Question 304490, on visa requirements, tabled on 1 December 2009. [307610]
Mr. Woolas: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 15 December 2009, Official Report, column 1111W.
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