§ Mr. WyattTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance he gives to voluntary associations which operate in England and Scotland on paying a contribution to the Criminal Records Bureau. [148694]
§ Mr. Charles Clarke[pursuant to his reply, 5 February 2001, c. 433W]: This is to provide additional information to that which I was able to give in my previous reply, in relation to the issue of charges for the voluntary sector. We have listened very carefully to concerns expressed within the voluntary sector, and by others, including right hon. and hon. Members, on behalf of the voluntary sector, about the potential implications of charges to be made by the Criminal Records Bureau. We have made clear our commitment to and support for the voluntary sector and recently announced a major package to promote voluntary and community involvement. It remains our intention that the Bureau should be financed by means of the charges that it makes. But we have concluded that standard and enhanced disclosures, which include those working in sensitive positions with the vulnerable, should be issued free of charge to volunteers. We are continuing our 505W consideration of the appropriate fees regime and structure for other users of the Bureau's services and we shall make a further announcement shortly.