§ Mr. BoswellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many umbrella bodies have registered with the Criminal Records Bureau; how many of them are open to take registrations from outside their own membership; and if he will make a statement on the effectiveness of arrangements in covering the registration need of the voluntary sector. [45810]
§ Mr. Denham[holding answer 26 March 2002]:We have been determined that employers and voluntary organisations wishing to use the service to be provided by the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) will have a ready means of access. To meet the needs of those employers and organisations which do not wish to register with the Bureau in their own right, we have encouraged others to consider acting on their behalf, as umbrella bodies, and we shall continue to do so. Up to 21 March 2002, a total of 704 umbrella bodies had registered with the CRB. Of these, 419 organisations had indicated that they are prepared to countersign applications from employers or organisations outside their own circle or sector. A list is available from the CRB on request, and information is also available on the CRB website, www.disclosure.gov.uk.