HC Deb 01 August 1984 vol 65 cc383-4W
Mr. Hume

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will estimate the cost of establishing how many people whose names were submitted as employees by contractors on Property Services Agency contracts in Great Britain have been found unsuitable for work on the respective contracts each year since 1979; what were the grounds on which such persons were deemed unsuitable for such work; and what procedure would be needed to establish such information;

(2) if he will estimate the cost of establishing the number of people whose names were submitted as employees by contractors on Property Services Agency contracts in Northern Ireland who have been found unsuitable for work on the respective contracts each year since 1979; what were the grounds on which such persons were deemed unsuitable for such work; and what procedures would be needed to establish such information;

(3) if he will make a statement detailing who is responsible for the control of access to civil establishments, the criteria on which such control is based, and the information and research resources available to those responsible for such control, making particular reference to the procedures followed in the making of decisions about the unsuitability of persons to work on Property Services Agency contracts;

(4) if he will make a statement regarding Property Services Agency contracts detailing who is responsible for the control of access to military establishments, the criteria on which such control is based and the information and research resources available to those responsible for such control; and what procedures are followed in the making of decisions about the unsuitability of persons to work on Property Service Agency contracts;

(5) if he will indicate what evidence is considered by, or on behalf of, the Property Services Agency; from what sources it is received; and what checks are made on such evidence, and by whom, in considering whether persons are suitable for work on Property Services Agency contracts.

Sir George Young

No.

Mr. Hume

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if records are kept listing (a) the names of people who have been deemed unsuitable for work on Property Services Agency contracts, (b) the grounds on which they have been so deemed and (c) other personal details or alleged details;

(2) on what grounds, and by whom, a person's unsuitability for work on a Property Services Agency contract is assessed; and where the final decision on such matters lies;

(3) by what means and at what stage, of the relevant considerations persons who might be deemed unsuitable for work on Property Services Agency contracts are informed of the allegations, suspicions or evidence which suggests they might be unsuitable for work on Property Services Agency contracts;

(4) what opportunities there are for persons whose suitability for work on Property Services Agency contracts is in doubt to bring forward evidence to clear themselves or challenge the evidence submitted against them;

(5) how many persons have been deemed unsuitable for work on Property Services Agency contracts because of suspicions or evidence directly or indirectly related to one or more of each of the following personal details: (a) address, (b) race, (c) religion, (d) nationality, (e)sex, (.D predilection, (g) prison record, (h) police record, (i) criminal convictions, (j) previous criminal charges, (k) membership or support of a given pressure or interest group, (m) trade union membership or activities, (n) subscription to or readership of any given newspapers, journals, magazines and so on, (o) association with certain persons, (p) financial circumstances, (q) travel or habitual movements and (r) mental or physical health.

Sir George Young

It would be inappropriate to give such details.

Mr. Hume

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will list his responsibilities with regard to the Property Services Agency and the granting to workers of access to civil and military installations;

(2) if the will make a statement indicating the role, responsibilities and resources of the Property Services Agency with particular reference to what work and services are under its supervision, what establishments are under its supervision and how many personnel or workers on permanent, short term or contract basis it sanctions as suitable for work in civil or military installations.

Sir George Young

The Property Services Agency designs, maintains, manages and supplies the Government estate both civil and military. Its gross expenditure in 1983–84, excluding administration costs was about £1.6 billion. It acts as agents for the client Departments for which it works in controlling access of its employees and its contractors employees to civil and military sites and buildings. The agency's permanent staff amounted to 28,747 at 1 April 1984. The number of contractors' staff employed at any one time is not known.