§ Mr. DismoreTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many requests have been received from(a) local authorities and (b) others for Criminal Reference Bureau checks on job applicants, what the (i) average and (ii) longest delay in response has been; and if he will make a statement. [69766]
§ Mr. Hilary BennAs at 10 July, a total of 236,191 applications have been received by the Criminal Records Bureau for criminal record checks. Information relating to the number of applications received from local authorities and the delays in responding is not available in the format requested. I will write to my hon. Friend when the information becomes accessible.
Measures continue to be taken to overcome the early operating difficulties experienced by the Bureau, which have led to delays in responding to applications. The Criminal Records Bureau is determined to meet the high standards of service that it has made clear it will deliver to its customers, and expects to see increasing service improvements during the coming weeks.