HC Deb 19 December 1995 vol 268 cc1011-2W
Mr. Gareth Wardell

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what steps he is taking in relation to the recruitment of additional staff in the pensions appeal tribunals service in Wales. [5765]

Mr. Jonathan Evans

The pensions appeal tribunals do not maintain a permanent staff in Wales. In common with most other pensions appeal tribunal locations, hearings there are attended by staff based in London, the number of which has recently been increased.

Mr. Maclean

[holding answer 18 December]: Dealing with missing persons reports is an operational matter for the police service. We have no plans to introduce a Government helpline independent of the police, and have received no representations indicating that a separate helpline should be set up.

Mr. Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the role of the national missing persons helpline in respect of the investigations of events at 25 Cromwell street, Gloucester. [5998]

Mr. Maclean

[holding answer 18 December]: I understand that the helpline assisted police with the identification of victims based on the information it holds on missing persons.

Mr. Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many requests for help the police make to the national missing persons helpline every week; and if he will make a statement on the use of the helpline by the police. [6000]

Mr. Maclean

[holding answer 18 December]: I understand that there are regular contacts between police forces and the helpline, but that no comprehensive figures are available.