§ Mr. MullinTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reason Recruitment and Assessment Services was asked to delay the processing of applicants for appointments to the board of the Criminal Cases Review Commission; on what date it was given clearance to proceed; and if he will make a statement. [41060]
§ Mr. KirkhopeRecruitment and Assessment Services was not asked to delay the processing of applicants for the posts of members of the Criminal Cases Review Commission. It was unable to inform applicants about the outcome of their applications until all the applications had been considered and sifted. This process took longer than anticipated due to the large number of applications received. Preliminary interviews for the posts began on 3 September; the final interviews will be held during the next few weeks.
§ Mr. MullinTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the current budget for the Criminal Cases Review Commission; and how much has so far been spent. [41059]
§ Mr. KirkhopeThe provisional budget for setting up and operating the Criminal Cases Review Commission in 1996–97 is £5 million. Up to 30 September, £104,000 had been spent, although much more has been committed in terms of accommodation and equipment for the commission.