HC Deb 13 June 1985 vol 80 cc497-8W
Mr. Rowe

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what are the criteria by which appointments were made to the steering group appointed to review the arrangements by which information is handled on the criminal background of those seeking positions where they will have substantial opportunities for access to children;

(2) if he will list the names of all the members on the steering group appointed to review the arrangements by which information is handled on the criminal background of those seeking positions where they will have substantial opportunities for access to children;

(3) if he will make it his policy that the steering group appointed to review the arrangements by which information is handled on the criminal background of those seeking positions where they will have substantial opportunities for access to children will seek evidence or proposals from the Association of Directors of Social Services, before reporting;

(4) if he will make it his policy that the review of the arrangements by which information is handled on the criminal background of those seeking positions where they will have substantial opportunity for access to children will seek evidence and proposals from all bodies with a direct interest in the outcome of the review before it reports.

Mr. Mellor

The review was set up in the wake of the Colin Evans case to devise as a matter of urgency a system for disclosing criminal backgrounds in relevant cases for the protection of children. The steering group supervising the work, which was kept small to facilitate a speedy review, includes a director of social services and representatives of other major central and local government interests, and the police. Other bodies are being consulted in the course of the review and there will be an opportunity for comments on recommendations resulting from the review.

The Membership of the steering group is:

  • Mr. D. E. R. Faulkner (Chairman)—Home Office
  • Mrs. J. Hale—Inner London Education Authority
  • Mr. D. James—Director of Social Services, Leeds
  • Mr. B. Johnson—Chief Constable, Lancashire
  • Mr. D. Pullen—County Secretary, Buckinghamshire
  • Mr. E. Soden—Home Office
  • Mr.D. Wilkinson — Department of Education and
  • Science
  • Commander D. Williams — National Identification
  • Bureau
  • Mr. C. Wilson — Department of Health and Social
  • Security Observers:
  • Mr. R. Scott—Scottish Office
  • Mrs. D. Brown—Northern Ireland Office