§ Mr. KempTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases of incorrect information258W from criminal record files provided in response to employment inquiries have been reported to police forces in the last year for which figures are available. [118870]
§ Mr. Charles ClarkeSuch information is not available centrally. We recognise that there are shortcomings in the accuracy of records, which need to be addressed, especially given that the Criminal Records Bureau will come into operation from July 2001 onwards. The Police Service is working to improve the accuracy of criminal records, and the Association of Chief Police Officers has produced proposals for enhancing police data handling. In addition, a report of a review by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary of data quality of criminal records information held on the Police National Computer is expected to be published in the summer.