HC Deb 06 July 1994 vol 246 cc202-3W
Ms Ruddock

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) when he will publish research into(a) intensive community sentences and (b) reconviction rates;

(2) when he will publish comparative European research into ethnicity and crime;

(3) when he will publish his Department's research into the experiences of (a) refugees, (b) persons granted exceptional leave to remain in the United Kingdom and (c) Vietnamese refugees;

(4) when he will publish research involving (a) criminal justice agencies' response to the Criminal Justice Act 1991 and (b) the Bail Act 1976;

(5) when he will publish the research and planning unit programme for 1993–94 and 1994–95.

Mr. Howard

Neither my ministerial colleagues nor I have had an opportunity to consider reports on four of the studies listed: intensive community sentences; reconviction rates; Vietnamese refugees; and the survey of criminal justice agencies' responses to the Criminal Justice Act 1991.

A report on the settlement of refugees, carried out in collaboration with Salford university, is currently being revised. This study included those granted exceptional leave to remain.

A study of the Bail Act 1976 was published in 1992—"Offending while on bail", research and planning unit paper No. 65. A follow-up study based on five local initiatives is nearing completion, and the report will be revised to take into account the comments of the five local steering groups and others.

On comparative European research into ethnicity and crime, the Dutch Ministry of Justice is this month publishing a book on an international comparative study on youth and crime, which includes a chapter by Home Office researchers on results in this country. The research and planning unit is preparing a fuller report on the British results, which will include a detailed assessment of the findings by ethnic group.

I expect reports on all the studies listed to be published later in the year, once they have been finalised and arrangements for their publication has been agreed.

The research and planning unit programme for 1993–94 has been published, and a copy has been placed in the Library. The programme for 1994–95 will be published when this has been finalised.