HC Deb 15 July 1999 vol 335 cc319-20W
Mr. Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has to improve the efficiency and increase the output of the Criminal Cases Review Commission. [90848]

Kate Hoey

The Commission is responsible for making efficient use of the financial provision my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary makes for it, and for performing its functions effectively. In the Business Plan for 1999–2000 that it has submitted to him for agreement, the Commission sets out its plans to meet two key challenges: to minimise the delay in reviewing applications from persons in custody, and to increase the number of cases completed per year. Earlier this year, we allocated substantial additional funding to the Commission to enable it to increase its output, and have agreed to a further review of the Commission's resource requirements at the end of this year.

Mr. Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what performance targets are being proposed by his Department for the Criminal Cases Review Commission. [90849]

Kate Hoey

In the Business Plan for 1999–2000 that it has submitted to my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary for agreement, the Commission has proposed the goals of completing 1,000 cases this year, having 500 under detailed review, and ensuring that the average time an applicant in custody waits for detailed review of their case to begin is not more than 12 months. My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary is currently considering the Business Plan.