§ Mr. ClappisonTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment in how many cases convicted sex offenders have been offered placements working with children under the New Deal programme; and when he was informed of such cases. [63886]
§ Mr. Andrew Smith[holding answer 14 December 1998]: I am not aware of any cases of convicted sex offenders being offered placements working with children under the New Deal programme. We have investigated the allegations in press articles of 8 December, but have been unable to substantiate them.
§ Mr. GreenTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to instigate a review of New Deal placements involving contact with children. [63370]
§ Mr. Andrew Smith[holding answer 14 December 1998]: Those providing such placements are contractually required to undertake relevant checks. We will investigate
478W
Region April May June July August September Total Northern Gateway 25 15,927 39,556 166,209 362,232 15,302 599,251 Option 18,090 110,403 151,761 320,215 435,379 608,580 1,644,428 North West Gateway 24 13,185 56,507 224,563 238,678 198,129 731,086 Options 47,920 72,179 192,934 268,465 468,285 611,478 1,660,961 EME Gateway 154 7,202 18,317 36,916 59,360 50,291 172,240 Options 3,130 9,170 29,708 70,353 145,129 268,805 526,295 Y&H Gateway 230 6,339 46,321 92,932 114,086 191,245 451,153 Options 50,440 74,431 185,490 310,442 570,784 592,391 1,783,978 West Midlands Gateway 6 8,526 29,972 29,490 71,324 112,581 251,899 Options 13,680 27,507 94,251 159,183 222,187 370,822 887,630 South West Gateway 104 7,576 27,570 56,277 47,028 47,245 185,800 Options 37,060 63,565 145,500 257,255 324,714 387,582 1,215,676 any specific cases in which it is claimed that unsuitable people have gained jobs with children through the New Deal. There is currently a wider review through an Interdepartmental Working Group looking at many issues around preventing unsuitable people working with children.
§ Mr. ClappisonTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what steps he is taking to prevent convicted sex offenders obtaining placements working with children under the New Deal programme; [63887]
(2) what assessment he has made of the risk of convicted sex offenders being offered placements working with children under the New Deal programme; and what steps he is taking to prevent such placements being made. [63888]
§ Mr. Andrew Smith[holding answer 14 December 1998]: The primary responsibility for checking the suitability of people they recruit rests firmly with the employers. Guidance has been issued to ensure that everybody working in the Employment Service understands their responsibilities. No Employment Service officer would knowingly submit a serious offender for a job working with children but they have been reminded of the need for vigilance and of the importance of reminding employers of their responsibilities.
The Employment Service is already working closely with other agencies, including the Home Office, to explore what else can be done, including more effective arrangements for the exchange of information.