§ Mr. SandersTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police forces currently charge local and health authorities for criminal record checks. [55700]
§ Mr. MichaelUnder administrative arrangements agreed between the Home Office and the Association of Chief Police Officers, criminal record checks conducted by the police for employment vetting purposes on those who work with children and young people are provided free of charge.
Separate and distinct arrangements exist under the Data Protection Act 1984 for individuals to apply to the police for a copy of any information which the police may hold on computers about them, including details of their criminal record. The police are under a statutory obligation to provide this information and, as permitted under the Act, charge £10 for each category of information the individual wishes to access.