§ Peter BottomleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much public funding(a) went last year and (b) will go (i) this year and (ii) next year to (A) RESPECT in the Prison Service and (B) the National Black Police Association; and if he will make a statement. [175050]
§ Paul GogginsThe information requested is as follows
(A) Funding for RESPECTDuring 2003–04, the RESPECT Network received £453,000 from the Prison Service For 2004–05, the Network have forecast a spend of £400,000. RESPECT'S funding request for 2005–06 has not yet ban submitted.(B) Funding for the National Black Police AssociationFor 2003–04, the Home Office provided grant in aid of £81,214 and funding of nearly £40,000 for one member of staff employed by the National Black Police Association (NBPA). The NBPA's funding request for 2004–05 is currently under consideration. Funding for 2005–06 will be considered at the end of this financial year.RESPECT has proven to be a valuable support network for its members throughout the Prison Service. Encouragingly, the Network now has 3,663 members and provides a free-phone support line with trained volunteers drawn from its membership which provides an additional source of support to any member of staff who may have been a victim of racism.
The National Black Police Association plays an important role in helping the Police Service become more aware of the various issues facing black officers and to recruit, retain and progress more minority ethnic officers. Through its links with communities, it also helps increase trust and confidence of those communities in the Police Service.