§ 3. Ms Helen Southworth (Warrington, South)How he intends to take forward the proposals to safeguard children by creating a comprehensive single access point for police and other record checks in staff recruitment; and if he will make a statement. [61090]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Kate Hoey)The interdepartmental working group that we set up to look at that matter is due to make its main recommendations by the end of the year. Subject to our consideration of its proposals, we then expect the group to take forward the detailed work that will be needed to give effect to its recommendations.
§ Ms SouthworthMy hon. Friend is to be congratulated on that response. She is aware of considerable concern in my constituency, and across to north Wales, about the fact that we have all failed to protect children from abuse by predatory adults. Can she assure me that the one-stop shop will proceed rapidly, that it will contain comprehensive information and that clear instructions will be issued on when it should be used in the recruitment and selection of staff and voluntary workers, so that we can make a better job of protecting children from violent, dangerous people who attempt to obtain a position of power and authority over them?
§ Kate HoeyI thank my hon. Friend and I know how much work she has put into that important issue. It is likely that we will recommend a one-stop shop, because the group's emerging recommendations envisage a central access point for three sources of information: criminal records; list 99, which is held by the Department for Education and Employment; and the consultancy index, which is held by the Department of Health. The front-runner at the moment for the central access point is the criminal records agency, which we are hoping to get up and running within two years from the date of the formal announcement.
§ Mr. Shaun Woodward (Witney)Is the Minister aware of the stories in the Oxford Mail reporting that thousands of people with convictions for sex offences live in the Thames valley area? The head of the local family protection unit says that only 150 former sex offenders are monitored and registered by the police. What assurances can the Minister give my constituents in Oxfordshire and the people who are worried about the large number of former paedophiles in Oxford that they will be adequately protected?
§ Kate HoeyThe hon. Gentleman will be aware that I have not seen that newspaper's reports and the serious allegations that it contains. As I understand it, we know 524 about some 98 per cent. of offenders, but I am sure that the local police take the matter seriously. I will look into it.
§ Dr. Brian Iddon (Bolton, South-East)I have written to the Home Office on several occasions querying the length of time that it takes to perform checks in the Greater Manchester area through the police. The delays are seriously damaging such schemes as the mentoring scheme run by the Bolton lads and girls club, which is intended to keep young people out of trouble. Can my hon. Friend assure the House that any new scheme will be quicker than existing schemes?
§ Kate HoeyClearly, if we are to make improvements, we want to speed up the checks. I do not have direct responsibility for the speed with which checks are made, but I am happy to look into the issue and report back.