| Table 2: The number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts for waste disposal, littering and noise offences, by Government office region and police force area, England and Wales, 2009 (1,2) | |||||
| 2009 | |||||
|
|
Environmental Protection Act 1990 s .33(8) | Environmental Protection Act 1990 s .33(9) | Environmental Protection Act 1990 s .33(6) | Environmental Protection Act 1990 s.87, 93 and 94 | Noise Act 1996 |
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| (1) The figures given in the table on court proceedings relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe. (2 )Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. (3) Corresponding offence descriptions for statutes are as follows: Environmental Protection Act 1990: s.33(8) Depositing, causing the deposition or permitting the deposition, treating, keeping or disposing of controlled (but not special) waste in or on land without a licence; s.33(9) Depositing, causing the deposition or permitting the deposition of controlled special waste in or on land without a licence; s.33(6) Contravening conditions of a waste management licence; s.87 Deposit litter; s.93 and 94 Failure to comply with Street Litter Control Notice. Noise Act 1996: Responsible for noise exceeding prescribed level from premises after service of notice. Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services—Ministry of Justice. | |||||
Asylum
Mrs Main: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the deadline is for completion of the asylum legacy caseload by the UK Border Agency. [52123]
Damian Green: The UK Border Agency provides regular updates on performance of the “legacy” cases, including a breakdown into grants, removals and “other” cases such as duplicates or errors, to the Home Affairs Select Committee.
On 2 March, the Agency reported to the Home Affairs Select Committee that it had concluded over 403,000 cases as at 31 January 2011.
The UK Border Agency has nearly completed its review of all outstanding “legacy” cases that have not yet been concluded on 31 March. It remains on track to conclude the legacy backlog by summer 2011.
Burglary
Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of recent trends in the level of burglary offences in (a) Gloucestershire and (b) England and Wales; and if she will make a statement. [51793]
James Brokenshire: Recent annual trends show that the total offences of burglaries recorded by Gloucestershire police decreased by 5%, from 5,823 offences in 2008-09 to 5,525 offences in 2009-10.
For the component burglary offences, the force recorded a 7% increase in burglary in a dwelling (2,292 in 2008-09 and 2,453 in 2009-10).
Gloucestershire police also recorded 3,072 offences of burglary in a building other than a dwelling in 2009-10, a 13% decrease from the previous year total of 3,531 offences.
Figures for England and Wales show that total burglaries recorded by the police fell by 7%, 581,577 in 2008-09 to 540,655 in 2009-10. Burglary in a dwelling fell by 6% from 284,440 to 268,595 in the years 2008-09 and 2009-10 respectively. Offences of burglary in a building other than a dwelling decreased by 8% from 297,137 in 2008-09 to 272,060 offences in 2009-10.
Children: Employment
Mr Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what process was used to assess child labour in the UK prior to making the Government's report to the International Labour Organisation under ILO Convention 182. [51634]
Damian Green: A number of reviews and threat assessments are currently available and used to inform our understanding of the threat and extent of child labour and exploitation issues, including child trafficking, within the UK. The most recent strategic threat assessment produced by the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) published in 2010 provides an update on the extent of child abuse, trafficking and exploitation within the UK.
At the time of the previous Government's report on the International Labour Organisation Convention 182 in 2009, CEOP had produced their first strategic threat assessment of the extent of child trafficking within the UK. This was available and used to inform the Government's report together with other sources of available information including the National Referral Mechanism.
Mr Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent discussions she has had with representatives of non-governmental organisations on the Government’s obligations under International Labour Organisation Convention 182. [51640]
Damian Green: The UK Government are strongly committed to tackling the worst forms of child labour contained in the International Labour Organisation Convention 182; including child trafficking, child sexual exploitation and prostitution.
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While no recent discussions have been held with non-governmental organisations on the International Labour Organisation Convention 182 itself, the Government are currently developing a new human trafficking strategy which will bring an increased focus on the countries from which children are trafficked and therefore help to prevent children becoming victims of child trafficking and exploitation in the UK. Engagement with non-governmental organisations is a key part of this process.
The Department is also working closely with NGOs to identify the range of models and approaches for responding to prostitution within England and Wales.
The aims of this group include producing local guidance which will cover the local response to children sexually exploited through prostitution.
Mr Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent discussions she has had with representatives of industry on ensuring that child labour is not used during the preparation and manufacture of goods. [51641]
Damian Green: The Secretary of State for the Home Department has had no recent discussions with representatives of industry about the use of child labour in the preparation and manufacture of goods. However, the UK Government are committed to the elimination of child labour exploitation and through a number of projects and initiatives in the UK and overseas such as the Ethical Trading Initiative or the Responsible and Accountable Garments Sector challenge fund and are working towards long-lasting changes that tackle the underlying poverty that is at the root of this problem.
COE Commissioner for Human Rights
Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions she has had with (a) the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe and (b) the Commissioner's office on immigration and migration matters since her appointment. [51961]
Damian Green: The Secretary of State for the Home Department has not had any discussions with the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe, or with the Commissioner's office since her appointment.
Crime: Prevention
Mr Blunkett: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps she has taken to ensure continuity of funding for organisations which were funded by the Community Fund for conflict resolution and which will now be expected to bid for resources under the Communities against Gangs, Guns and Knives Fund; which such organisations would have expected year three funding for existing projects under the Community Fund; for which such organisations funding under the Communities against Gangs, Guns and Knives Fund is not yet available; what interim arrangements have been put in place; and if she will make a statement. [50947]
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James Brokenshire: The application process for the Communities Against Gangs, Guns and Knives Fund opened on 25 March 2011. The Fund will provide £4 million to voluntary and community sector organisations working across England and Wales to reduce gang, gun and knife related violence by young people over the next two years. The new fund provides £0.5 million more per year than the Community Fund and is open to organisations based in any part of England and Wales, rather than just the 10 areas covered by the Tackling Knives Action Programme in 2008.
The criteria for the fund are focused on organisations working with young people at risk of involvement in gang, gun and knife crime or to support those who are already involved to leave that lifestyle. Organisations supported by the Community Fund will be eligible to bid for the new fund for two years’ funding. Those with a proven track record will be well placed to meet the criteria. Each successful organisation will receive grants of £10,000 each per year. Existing Community Fund recipients and other interested voluntary and community based organisations have been asked to lodge their applications by the closing date of 15 April 2011.
Criminal Records
Mr Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many and what proportion of people whose details are recorded on the Criminal Records Bureau database have not been charged, convicted of or otherwise received a penalty or sanction in relation to a criminal offence; and how many such people are aged 16 years or under. [52312]
Lynne Featherstone: The Criminal Records Bureau CRB database contains details of people who have made applications for criminal record certificates. It does not contain details of people who have been charged or convicted of a criminal offence as these details are held by the police on the Police National Computer (PNC).
In processing applications for criminal records certificates, the CRB has access to records held by the police and other data sources.
The overwhelming majority of CRB checks are clear. The following table illustrates the number and proportion of people in each of the last five years who have received CRB certificates that do not disclose details of convictions, cautions, reprimands and final warnings. A further table shows the position for those who are aged 16 years or under during the same period:
| All applications | ||||
|
|
Total dispatch volumes | PNC match | No PNC match | Percentage of total applications with no PNC match |
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| Under 17 | ||||
|
|
Total dispatch volumes | PNC match | No PNC match | Percentage of total volumes for under 17 applications with no match |
Departmental Accountancy
Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether any ministerial directions have been issued to the accounting officer of her Department since her appointment. [51993]
Damian Green: No ministerial directions have been issued to the accounting officer of the Home Department since the appointment of the current Secretary of State for the Home Department.
Departmental Contracts
Tessa Jowell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate she has made of the change in the (a) volume and (b) monetary value of services provided by her Department which have been contracted out to (i) the third sector and (ii) the private sector between January 2005 and December 2010. [48164]
Damian Green: The data needed to provide a comparison could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Departmental Official Cars
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what date (a) she and (b) each other Minister in her Department last used a ministerial car while travelling in an official capacity; and how many times (i) she and (ii) each other Minister in her Department has travelled to their constituency in a ministerial car since May 2010. [50196]
Damian Green: Section 10 of the Ministerial Code provides guidance on travel for Ministers and makes clear that Ministers must ensure that they always make efficient and cost-effective travel arrangements. Two cars have been allocated for ministerial use, one of which is provided by the Metropolitan police for the Secretary of State for the Home Department. Other Ministers use ministerial cars according to business need.
As at 30 March 2011, Home Office Ministers last used a ministerial car while travelling in an official capacity on the following occasions:
Nick Herbert—16 February 2011
Damian Green—29 March 2011
James Brokenshire—29 March 2011
Lynne Featherstone—29 March 2011
Baroness Neville-Jones—30 March 2011
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Information relating to how many times Home Office Ministers have travelled to their constituency in a ministerial car since May 2010 could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Departmental Redundancy
Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many civil servants in her Department have been offered voluntary redundancy since April 2010; and if she will make a statement. [49188]
Damian Green: Since April 2010 the Home Office has offered no staff “voluntary redundancy” as defined by the new Civil Service Compensation scheme. The Department ran a voluntary early release scheme in autumn 2010 from which 1,150 people have left.
Further to this, the Home Office launched a voluntary exit scheme in January 2011. This is still partway through its administration, with exits taking place between 31 March 2011 and 31 March 2012. So far, over 360 people have left the Department.
DNA: Databases
Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what her latest estimate is of the cost of removing records from the National DNA Database following implementation of proposals for such removal. [50103]
James Brokenshire: I refer my hon. Friend to the impact assessment produced for the Protection of Freedoms Bill, which can be found on Home Office website
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/about-us/legislation/freedom-bill/dna-fingerprints-ia?view=Binary
and has been placed in the House Libraries.
Mr Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent estimate she has made of the number of people who have not been charged with a crime whose DNA records on the National DNA Database were added by Surrey police. [51870]
James Brokenshire: This information is not held centrally.
Mr Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many individuals in each police force area have records on the National DNA Database. [52316]
James Brokenshire: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Brigg and Goole (Andrew Percy) on 3 March 2011, Official Report, columns 539-40W.
Domestic Violence
Nicola Blackwood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what amendments the UK has (a) proposed and (b) supported in the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers on the draft Convention on Prevention and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence; and if she will make a statement. [51235]
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Lynne Featherstone: The Council of Europe Committee of Ministers has not itself discussed the substantive provisions of the draft convention on prevention and combating violence against women and domestic violence. However, during negotiations at official level we have made it clear that we are keen to see the adoption of a strong convention that will protect and promote human rights worldwide. We are not convinced that the convention as currently drafted achieves those aims, and discussions continue in other meetings with our Council of Europe partners on how our concerns may be best addressed.
Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will estimate the number of police officers who are assigned to work on (a) sexual violence and (b) domestic violence cases. [51288]
Lynne Featherstone: This information is not available centrally. Individual police forces assign officers to particular case types according to operational need.
Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what funding she plans to allocate to new positions supporting women who are victims of domestic or sexual violence in the next four years. [51289]
Lynne Featherstone: In the Government’s strategic vision to end violence against women and girls, published in November 2010, we committed £28 million of Home Office funding for specialist services on a stable basis over the next four years. This money will be used to improve the response to rape and domestic violence, provide more training and early intervention programmes, introduce new powers and provide better support for victims. As part of this commitment, we have almost doubled the number of Home Office funded Independent Sexual Violence Advisors from 44 to 87. For domestic violence the funding will be used to contribute to existing and new Independent Domestic Violence Adviser and Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conferences Co-ordinator posts. There will also be continued funding for the National Domestic Violence Helpline, Men’s Advice Line and Broken Rainbow helpline. Separate funding has also been allocated to continue and enhance support provided by the Sojourner Project during 2011-12.
In addition, the Ministry of Justice recently announced the provision over the next three years of up to £10.5 million in grant funding for existing rape support centres. Also, in the first phase of a wider programme of work to develop new rape support centres where there are gaps in provision, up to £600,000 in funding will be provided over the next 12 months to develop new centres in Hereford, Trafford, Devon and Dorset.
Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the adequacy of provision of multi-agency risk assessment conference co-ordinators or equivalent positions. [51290]
Lynne Featherstone:
A recent Home Office review of multi-agency risk assessment conference co-ordinators (MARACs) commissioned as part of the Government's broader strategy on ending violence against women and
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girls has looked at a range of issues around how MARACs currently operate. The review is due to be published in the summer.
Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many independent (a) sexual violence advisers, (b) domestic violence advisers and (c) multi-agency risk assessment conference co-ordinators or equivalent positions were in post on the most recent date for which figures are available; and in which regions they are located. [51291]
Lynne Featherstone: Since independent sexual violence advisors (ISVAs), independent domestic violence advisers (IDVAs) and multi-agency risk assessment conference (MARAC) co-ordinators are employed and funded by a range of local organisations it is not possible to provide an overall total for any of these categories. In 2011-12 the Home Office will be contributing funding towards 87 ISVA posts, over 50 MARAC co-ordinator posts and over 135 IDVA posts. The numbers for the MARAC co-ordinator posts and IDVA posts will be confirmed once the notification process has been completed.
Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications her Department has received for funding for multi-agency risk assessment conference coordinators since her appointment; how many groups made applications; and from which regions these applications came. [51293]
Lynne Featherstone: We received over 120 applications for multi-agency risk assessment conference coordinator (MARAC) funding from over 100 organisations (statutory and voluntary).
Applications were received from London and the following regions: East, South West, South East, Wales, North West, North East, West Midlands, East Midlands and Yorkshire and Humber.
Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications her Department has received for funding for independent domestic violence advisers since her appointment; how many groups made applications; and from which regions these applications came. [51294]
Lynne Featherstone: We received over 230 applications for independent domestic violence adviser (IDVA) funding from over 200 organisations (statutory and voluntary).
Applications were received from London and the following regions: East, South West, South East, Wales, North West, North East, West Midlands, East Midlands and Yorkshire and Humber.
Elections: Finance
Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what powers she plans to give the Electoral Commission in relation to the funding of election campaigns by (a) political party and (b) independent candidates for posts of police and crime commissioner in England and Wales. [51169]
Nick Herbert:
The Government are working closely with the Electoral Commission, representatives of local government and others to draw up the regulations that
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will set out this role. Subject to the will of Parliament, they will be issued following Royal Assent to the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill.
Entry Clearances: Pakistan
Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent change she has made to the evidential requirements for grant of a visa for entry to the UK from Pakistan. [51696]
Damian Green: In October 2010, in response to the Independent Chief Inspector's report on the UK Border Agency's visa operation in Abu Dhabi and Islamabad, the Agency published new guidance on its website:
www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas
regarding the documentation that it recommends should be submitted in support of applications in each of the main visa categories. The guidance applies globally and is not specific to applications lodged in Pakistan. There has, however, been no change in the evidential requirements for visa applications submitted in Pakistan or elsewhere. As always, it is the applicant’s responsibility to demonstrate that they meet the requirements of the Immigration Rules for entry in a particular category, and to provide appropriate supporting documentation.
Fixed Penalties
Mr Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for which offences fixed penalty notices may be imposed by the police; and what guidance has been issued by her Department on circumstances in which such notices may be imposed. [52308]
James Brokenshire: Most fixed penalties are offered for motoring offences. The Secretary of State can provide for any offence in respect of a vehicle to be a fixed penalty offence. Schedule 3 to the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 lists the offences for which a fixed penalty can currently be offered. Guidance on the operation of the fixed penalty system was last issued in 2006 and is available on the National Archives website at:
http://tna.europarchive.org/20100419081706/http://www.police.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/operational-policing/HO_00395_GFinalVersion006f.html?view=Standard&pubID=332084
Penalty notices for disorder (PNDs) are a type of fixed penalty designed to tackle low level, antisocial and nuisance offending. The list of offences covered by the scheme and police operational guidance is available on the Home Office website at:
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/police/penalty-notices
Forensic Science Service
Stephen Barclay: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans she has for the archives of the Forensic Science Service following the closure of that body. [51809]
James Brokenshire:
We recognize the importance of the Forensic Science Service (FSS) archives, both in academic terms and in the investigation of re-opened cases (or ‘cold cases’ as they are sometimes called). The Home Office is working closely with FSS, the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) and colleagues across
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the Criminal Justice System (CJS) to agree a suitable process for the handling and retention of FSS records so that historical data remain available to the CJS.
As part of this process we will also seek to ensure the necessary expertise exists to use this resource to best effect for the CJS.
Stephen Barclay: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps she plans to take to ensure that expertise in (a) hair comparison, (b) fibre analysis and (c) other little-used examinations is maintained following the winding down of the Forensic Science Service. [51810]
James Brokenshire: We are committed to ensuring the police and the Criminal Justice System (CJS) as a whole have the forensics capability they need to do their jobs effectively. We are currently reviewing the Forensic Science Service (FSS) functions as part of the process of managed closure, including identifying whether there are any needs which cannot be met by the forensics market. A great deal of expertise already exists within private sector providers, and it is our intention that valuable capability in the FSS, including staff, might transition to other providers as part of the managed closure.
Stephen Barclay: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps she is taking to support research and development in forensic science. [51811]
James Brokenshire: We are carefully examining ways in which innovation and research in forensic science can flourish to build on existing expertise and continue the innovation for which the UK has become globally renowned.
Alongside this work, we recently commissioned the Home Office chief scientific adviser, Professor Bernard Silverman to carry out a review of how research and development in forensic science is developed in the UK. The review has been consulting widely with forensic service providers, academia, research funders and international forensic science networks. The review is also working closely with the National Policing Improvement Agency and police service customers to understand their view of forensic science requirements for policing.
Homicide
Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many homicides there were in (a) England, (b) Wales, (c) Scotland, (d) Northern Ireland and (e) Brighton and Hove where there was no finding of guilt because the perpetrator committed suicide in each of the last five years; and if she will make a statement. [52226]
James Brokenshire: Available data are collected by the Home Office from police forces in England and Wales, including British Transport Police (BTP) where the offence was committed within England or Wales, and have been extracted from the Homicide Index.
A breakdown for the years 2005-06 to 2009-10 showing the number recorded by forces in England, Wales and by BTP is shown in the following table. Save in respect of the 7 July 2005 London bombings, it is not possible
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to show where offences recorded by the BTP were committed. Data specifically about Brighton and Hove could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
| Offences (1) currently recorded by the police as homicide where suspect committed suicide: England and Wales, 2005-06 to 2009-10 (2) | |||
| Number of offences | |||
|
|
England | Wales | BTP (3) |
| (1) As at 28 September 2010; figures are subject to revision as cases are dealt with by the police and by the courts, or as further information becomes available. (2) Offences are shown according to the year in which they were initially recorded as homicide. This is not necessarily the year in which the incident took place or the year in which any court decision was made. (3) Offences recorded by British Transport Police. It is not possible to show where in England or Wales these offences were committed. (4) Includes 52 victims of the 7 July 2005 London bombings; 13 recorded by the Metropolitan Police Service (included within ‘England’ category), 39 by BTP. | |||
The total number of offences recorded as homicide between 1999-2000 and 2009-10 for which court proceedings were either not initiated or were not concluded because the person suspected of being responsible for the death had committed suicide is shown in Table 1.02 of the most recent homicide chapter, which can be found online at:
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/science-research-statistics/research-statistics/crime-research/hosb0111/hosb0111-supp?view=Binary
Data are as at 28 September 2010 and subject to revision as cases are dealt with by the police and by the courts, or as further information becomes available.
The collection of homicide data for Scotland and Northern Ireland is a matter for the devolved Administrations.
Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many homicides there were in (a) England, (b) Wales, (c) Scotland, (d) Northern Ireland and (e) Brighton and Hove where more than one family member was killed in each of the last five years; and if she will make a statement. [52227]
James Brokenshire: The homicide index database for England and Wales provides data on the victim's relationship to the principal suspect. In incidents involving more than one victim, the database does not hold information on the relationship between victims.
Information on the number of homicides where more than one family member was killed would require an inspection of the details of individual records and can be provided only at disproportionate cost.
The collection of homicide data for Scotland and Northern Ireland is a matter for the devolved Administrations.
Human Trafficking
Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps she is taking to reduce the length of time between the arrest of a person suspected of a human trafficking offence and the court hearing; and if she will make a statement. [50432]
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Damian Green: The Government are committed to reducing the length of time between arrest and court hearing as much as possible. The Criminal Procedure Rules (CPR) govern the practice and procedure of the criminal courts and give the courts explicit powers to manage actively the preparation of criminal cases to prevent unfair and unavoidable delays, and promote certainty about what is happening for the benefit of everyone involved.
Human Trafficking: Convictions
Mr Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many convictions there were for offences of human trafficking for the purposes of sexual exploitation under the Sexual Offences Act 2003 in (a) 2009 and (b) 2010. [13433]
Damian Green: Statistics held by the UK Human Trafficking Centre show that there have been 33 convictions for trafficking for sexual exploitation in 2009 and 17 convictions in 2010.
There are 65 cases still pending that arise from arrests in 2009 and 2010.
Identity and Passport Service: Liverpool
Mrs Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department who is conducting the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the dismissal of employees of Liverpool Passport Office on 21 March 2011; and whether the results of the investigation will be published. [51807]
Damian Green: The investigation is being conducted internally and is nearing completion. The report of the investigation will be shared with the individuals concerned, the PCS union and interested Members of Parliament.
Illegal Immigrants
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent discussions she has had with the Northern Ireland Executive on steps to combat illegal migration. [50401]
Damian Green: The matter is discussed on an ongoing basis as part of regular meetings between UK Border Agency officials and officials from the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister and the Police Service of Northern Ireland.
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent discussions she has had with the Welsh Assembly Government on steps to combat illegal migration. [50403]
Damian Green: The matter is discussed on an ongoing basis as part of regular meetings between UK Border Agency officials and the Welsh Assembly Minister for Social Justice and Local Government, and Welsh Assembly Government officials.
Immigrants: Detainees
Keith Vaz:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average cost to the public purse of the arrest, detention and removal of an individual detained
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under immigration rules was in the latest period for which figures are available. [51834]
Damian Green: It is not currently possible to calculate an average cost for an arrest without incurring disproportionate cost, as the necessary information is not available in the required format.
We estimate that detention costs, on average, £110 per night—length of detention will vary according to the individual.
The National Audit Office (NAO) report “Management of Asylum Applications by the UK Border Agency”, published on 23 January 2009 and available to view at:
http://www.nao.org.uk/publications/0809/management_of_asylum_appl.aspx
provides a range of upper and lower-end cost estimates for people who are detained or removed in different circumstances (for example, for a single undetained adult who is removed after exhausting his/her appeal rights, the process will cost between £7,900 and £17,000 excluding accommodation and support costs, and between £12,000 and £25,600 including accommodation and support costs). A copy of this report is available in the House Library.
Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were arrested for immigration offences when reporting to an immigration centre in the latest period for which figures are available. [51859]
Damian Green: The number of people arrested when reporting in the last calendar year (2010) was 1,532.
These figures are provisional, based on management information, not subject to the detailed checks that apply for National Statistics and may be subject to change.
Immigrants: Married People
Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what her policy is on the removal from the UK of individuals whose spouses are British citizens; and if she will make a statement. [51857]
Damian Green: Before making a decision to remove an individual whose spouse is a British citizen, the UK Border Agency will consider the case in line with article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (right to a private and/or family life) and paragraph 395c of the immigration rules (age, length of residence, strength of connections, domestic circumstances, compassionate circumstances, any representations).
Each case will be considered on its individual merits.
Chapter 53 of the Enforcement Instructions and Guidance sets out the extenuating circumstances which are considered before an individual is removed.
www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/policyandlaw/enforcement/detentionandremovals/
Immigration: EU Action
Priti Patel:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the effect on levels of immigration to the UK of the
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provisions of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights; and what steps she has taken in response to the inclusion in the 2011 workplan of the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights of the first priority identified in respect of the situation of irregular migrants in the EU. [52477]
Damian Green: The EU Charter of Fundamental Rights does not create new rights and does not give the European Court of Justice or national courts any new powers to strike down national laws and practices for breaching fundamental rights. Consequently the Government do not consider it likely that the Charter will affect levels of immigration to the UK.
The 2011 work plan of the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights includes the completion of a first priority activity on the situation of irregular migrants which began in 2009. The purpose of the activity is to carry out research on welfare and fundamental rights issues affecting irregular migrants, to publish reports and to organise meetings with selected key stakeholders and decision makers at the national and European level.
The Government support completion of this activity so that the research findings will be published. Research reports by the Fundamental Rights Agency are published in order to assist member states and others in understanding the fundamental rights situation across the EU. Any recommendations made in these reports are not binding on member states.
Knives: Crime
Michael Fallon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many mobile knife scanners have been introduced into front line policing units since May 2010. [51649]
Nick Herbert: The Home Office does not hold the requested information. It is for chief constables and police authorities to decide on the equipment needed to deliver operational policing within their force area.
Licensing Laws
Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether she has assessed the merits of introducing measures to ensure that community amateur sports clubs are not subject to the same licensing laws as commercial venues; [51136]
(2) whether she has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport on the potential effects of licensing laws on sports clubs. [51217]
James Brokenshire: The Secretary of State for the Home Department, my right hon. Friend the Member for Maidenhead (Mrs May) regularly holds discussions with her Cabinet colleagues, however, she has not had specific discussions with the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, my right hon. Friend the Member for South West Surrey (Mr Hunt) on the potential effects of alcohol licensing laws on sports clubs. The licensing arrangements for all venues that sell or supply alcohol have been considered as part of the proposals to overhaul the Licensing Act 2003 and are currently being taken forward in the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill.
26 Apr 2011 : Column 359W
Members: Correspondence
Tessa Jowell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Minister for Security and Counter-Terrorism plans to reply to the letter from the right hon. Member for Dulwich and West Norwood (Tessa Jowell) of 16 February 2011. [46423]
Nick Herbert: The Olympic and Paralympic Security Office for Security and Counter Terrorism wrote to the right hon. Member on 10 March 2011.
Police: Graduates
John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many recruits to police forces in England and Wales in (a) 2008-09, (b) 2009-10 and (c) 2010-11 had university degrees. [48025]
Nick Herbert: The Home Office no longer collects data on the number of recruits who are graduates. However, according to Tom Winsor’s report: Independent Review of Police Officer and Staff Remuneration and Conditions, in 2010, 27% of police officer recruits were graduates.
| Table 1: Number of candidates and pass rates by academic attainment, England and Wales ; Exercise Suite November 2007 to October 2008 | ||||
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Number of attendees | Percentage of all attendees | National success rate (percentage) | Number of national candidates successful |
| Table 2: Number of candidates and pass rates by academic attainment, England and Wales ; Exercise Suite November 2008 to October 2009 | ||||
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Number of attendees | Percentage of all attendees | National success rate (percentage) | Number of national candidates successful |
| Table 3: Number of candidates and pass rates by academic attainment, England and Wales ; Exercise Suite November 2009 to December 2010 | ||||
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Number of attendees | Percentage of all attendees | National success rate (percentage) | Number of national candidates successful |
Police: Manpower
Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the percentage change in police numbers serving in each police force area in England and Wales has been since March 2010. [51891]
26 Apr 2011 : Column 360W
Nick Herbert: The latest available data are provided in the following table which shows the number of police officers in each police force area as at March 2010. Figures for March 2011 will be available on 21 July 2011.
This information is also published in the “Police Service Strength in England and Wales, 30 September 2010” bulletin which can be seen from the following link:
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/science-research-statistics/research-statistics/policeresearch/hosb0311/?view=Standard&publD=864093
| Police officer strength by police force area (full-time equivalents) (1) | ||||
| Police officers | ||||
| English Government Office Regions and Wales | FTE s trength as at: | Change in six months March 10 – September 2010 | ||
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March 2010 | September 2010 | Number | Percentage |
26 Apr 2011 : Column 361W
| (1) This table contains full-time equivalent figures that have been rounded to the nearest whole number. Because of rounding, there may be an apparent discrepancy between totals and the sums of the constituent items. (2) The figure for the British Transport Police for March has been revised since it was last published. The revised figure is for officers in England and Wales only, and does not include figures for Scotland. | ||||
Police: Overtime
John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average amount paid in overtime to police constables in each police force in England and Wales was in (a) 2006-07, (b) 2007-08, (c) 2008-09, (d) 2009-10 and (e) 2010-11. [48026]
Nick Herbert: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Cannock Chase (Mr Burley) on 28 February 2011, Official Report, columns 96-98W which provides information for the years 2000-01 to 2009-10. Data for 2010-11 are not yet available.
Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the cost to the public purse was of overtime for (a) warranted officers and (b) civilian staff in each police force in England and Wales in each of the last three years. [48533]
26 Apr 2011 : Column 362W
Nick Herbert [Holding answer 23 March 2011]:I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Witham (Priti Patel) on 25 October 2010, Official Report, columns 79-84W.
Police: Pay
Mr Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate she has made of the average change in the net income for police officers in Wales and England in (a) 2011-12 and (b) 2012-13. [47364]
Nick Herbert [holding answer 17 March 2011]: There are several factors that are likely to affect the net income of police officers over the next two years. The Government's policy is to freeze the pay of public sector workers earning over £21,000 for two years. We would expect this to apply to police officers, but will take account of any recommendations from the Police Negotiating Board. We have also recently received the first part of Tom Winsor's review of remuneration and conditions of service for police officers and staff, published on 8 March 2011. This report contains a number of recommendations on police officer and staff pay. Before any of them could be implemented they would be subject to consideration by the police negotiating machinery. The Secretary of State for the Home Department said in her written statement of 31 March 2011, Official Report, columns 37-38WS, that she will direct the Police Negotiating Board and Police Advisory Board for England and Wales to consider the proposals that are within their respective remits for police officers in England and Wales. It would not be appropriate to pre-empt that consideration.
In response to Lord Hutton's interim report, the Government has also announced its intention to increase the employee contributions of public sector workers by, on average, around three percentage points. The proposed increase would be phased in over three years from April 2012. Any increase in the pension contributions for police officers would be subject to consultation with the Police Negotiating Board.
Police: Recruitment
Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much it cost to assess a police constable candidate at each stage of assessment in the latest period for which figures are available. [52026]
Nick Herbert: This information is not held centrally.
Police: Redundancy
Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether she has made an assessment of the number of police officers who will be made compulsorily redundant in each of the next three years; and if she will make a statement. [49201]
Nick Herbert [holding answer 28 March 2011]: There is no provision in legislation for making police officers redundant.
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Michael Fallon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) uniformed officers, (b) community support officers and (c) civilian staff have taken voluntary redundancy from Kent police in each month since May 2005. [51652]
Nick Herbert: There is no provision in regulations for police officers to take voluntary redundancy. For police community support officers and civilian staff, voluntary redundancy is a matter for individual forces. The Home Office does not collect figures specifically for this category of exit.
Police: Southwark
Ms Harman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers are assigned to duties in the London borough of Southwark; and how many she expects there to be in (a) 2011-12 and (b) 2012-13. [47305]
Nick Herbert [holding answer 21 March 2011]: There were 964 police officers assigned to duties in the London borough of Southwark, as at 31 March 2010. This figure is based on full-time equivalents that have been rounded to the nearest whole number and includes officers on career breaks and maternity/paternity leave.
The number of police officers that are assigned duties in the London borough of Southwark for 2011-12 and 2012-13 are not yet available. It is for the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police to determine the number of police officers that are deployed in Southwark.
Reoffenders
Mr Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persistent and prolific offenders have been identified in each police force area in each of the last three years for which figures are available. [52467]
James Brokenshire: The number of offenders designated as prolific and other priority offenders through partnership arrangements in each police force area is set out in the following table. The data cover the last three years and are the most recent data available.
| Number of PPOs as registered on JTRACK caseload by police force area | |||
| Police force area | 1 April 2007 - 31 March 2008 | 1 April 2008 - 31 March 2009 | 1 April 2009 - 31 March 2010 |
26 Apr 2011 : Column 364W
| Source: JTRACK | |||