§ Mr. CoakerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from the Scout Association regarding the cost to them of checking adults with the Criminal Records Bureau; and if he will make a statement. [79320]
§ Mr. BoatengWe have received representations from a number of voluntary organisations, including the Scout Association, about charging for checks from the Criminal Records Bureau. We considered very carefully whether there was any way in which free checks could be provided for volunteers. While we acknowledge the valuable contribution volunteers make, we have concluded that it 609W would not be practicable to provide any free checks from the Criminal Records Bureau for volunteers or for any other groups.
We realise that this is unwelcome news, but providing free checks would prove an unsustainable burden on the public purse and may increase demand for certificates from the bureau to an uncontrollable extent. In addition, we do not consider it would be fair to allow volunteers to have free certificates when there are other equally deserving groups, such as the unemployed or the disabled. The cost of the fees for certificates from the bureau will be kept to the minimum necessary to recoup costs.