§ Ms. Harmanasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to amend the arrangements regarding disclosures of information by the police to social services departments about previous convictions of any employee or potential employees in residential care in the (a) private sector, (b) voluntary sector, (c) local authority sector of homes for (i) the elderly, (ii) the mentally handicapped, (iii) the physically handicapped and (iv) the chronically ill; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MellorMy right hon. and learned Friend has announced his intention to review the arrangements under which information about the criminal background of those who seek to work in positions of responsibility for children is made available to those who need to know it. The terms of reference for this review, which he will announce very shortly, will not extend to the groups mentioned in the hon. Member's question. But he is willing to consider evidence of the need for a change of practice in respect of these groups, and has not ruled out the possible need to extend the review at a later stage.