§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what the cost is in(a) 2000–01 and (b) 2001–02 of the Area Criminal Justice Strategy Committees. [15034]
§ Ms Rosie WintertonThe total cost of the 42 Area Criminal Justice Strategy Committees in the financial year 2000–01 was approximately £366,000. This comprises the salary costs of the National Co-ordinator, nine full-time equivalent Area Co-ordinator posts and their travel expenses. In addition, six Regional Conferences were held during the year for members of the Area Committees.
In the current financial year, the cost is approximately £1.4 million which includes the salaries and expenses mentioned, local conferences arranged by the Area Committees, and £1 million which was earmarked for the Area Committees from the Criminal Justice Reserve for projects aimed at improving joined-up working among the local criminal justice agencies.