§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has in relation to the number of social workers, teachers, medical staff, ancillary staff and other members of the public who have been vetted by police before they are employed in jobs where they work with children; and whether his Department keeps information as to the number of people refused employment and the reasons therefore.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggThe police do not vet applicants for posts which involve close contact with children; they supply information which they may have about the criminal background of individuals to prospective employers, who then decide whether or not to employ the individual in the light of all the information they may have about him or her.
The latest figures available on the number of checks undertaken under these arrangements were given in a reply I gave to a question from the hon. Member on 29 April at column 283. A further survey will be undertaken for the year to 31 August 1988 and the results should be available in the autumn.