§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the number of criminal conviction certificates which will be issued per year; and what plans he has to introduce a code of practice governing the use of such certificates. [65965]
§ Mr. BoatengWe estimate that there will be between 5 million and 6 million conviction certificates issued each year. Under section 122 of the Police Act 1997, a code of practice for registered bodies (which will be entitled to receive copies of enhanced criminal record certificates and criminal record certificates) will be developed in consultation with interested parties. In the case of criminal conviction certificates, it will be for the individual concerned to decide to whom to provide the information contained in them. We shall, however, consult about guidance to employers.
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§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether it is Government policy to encourage the use of the criminal conviction certificate in the assessment of candidates for employment. [65966]
§ Mr. BoatengNo. It will be up to individual employers to decide whether to ask to see a criminal convictions certificate. Criminal conviction certificates will only give details of unspent convictions. This is information which applicants can be asked to disclose at the moment. The criminal conviction certificate will allow employers to be sure that the information they have been given is full and accurate.