§ Mrs. Virginia Bottomleyasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress he has made with his review of the arrangements for the disclosure of information to prospective employers about any relevant criminal background of persons seeking to work with children in a paid or voluntary capacity; when he expects to conclude it; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Brittan[pursuant to the reply, 28 February, c. 258]: I have established a review, which is under way with the following terms of reference:
To devise a system under which information about the unsuitability by reason of criminal background of people seeking positions where they will have substantial opportunities for access to children can be communicated to those bodies which 245W are responsible for engaging such people, whether in a paid or voluntary capacity, and to those who have responsibility for authorising or licensing such people to occupy such positions.I have asked those conducting the review to canvass the views of those working in the education and child care field, to complete the report by the end of June and to submit the report in the form of a plan of action which can be implemented swiftly.