§ Ms WardTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of(a) lay visitors to police 322W stations and (b) members of lay observers' panels in England and Wales were aged (i) under 30, (ii) between 30 and 40, (iii) between 40 and 50, (iv) between 50 and 60 and (v) over 60 years in each of the past five years. [152592]
§ Mr. Charles ClarkeInformation is not collected centrally about the proportion of lay visitors within each given category.
As at 1 March 2001 there are no lay observers under 30 years of age. 2 per cent. are aged between 30 and 40; 8 per cent. between 40 and 50; 25 per cent. between 50 and 60; and the remaining 65 per cent. are over 60 years of age. Historical data about the composition of the lay observers panels are not kept and it is not possible to provide information in respect of the years 1997 to 2000.
§ Ms WardTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what proportion of places on schemes for lay visitors to visit police stations are not filled; [152590]
(2) what the (a) gender and (b) ethnic breakdown was of lay visitors to police stations in England and Wales in each of the last five years. [152591]
§ Mr. Charles ClarkeThis information is not collected centrally. Updated Home Office guidance to police authorities on the organisation and operation of lay visiting schemes will be issued shortly and strengthened administrative arrangements should enable better monitoring and record keeping.