§ Chris RuaneTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which police forces in England and Wales keep records of alcohol-related crime. [44001]
§ Mr. Denham[holding answer 21 March 2002]: The term alcohol-related crime potentially covers any criminal act where the perpetrator may have been drinking alcohol prior to, or at the time of, the offence. While the relevant offence may be recorded, there is at present no requirement on police forces to record whether or not the offender had been drinking. Many forces do, however make their own assessment of alcohol-related crime problems, to inform their operational policing decisions.
The suite of Best Value Performance Indicators for the police for 2002–03 include both a measure of violent offences committed in connection with licensed premises and a measure of violent offences under the influence of 566W Members and (b) officials in his Department to reply to letters received directly from members of the public. [44956]
§ Angela EagleFor 2002–03 the Home Office targets for replying to letters will continue as follows:
- (a) Ministers to reply to 95 per cent. of MPs correspondence about the Prison Service within 20 working days, and within 15 working days on all other matters.
- (b) Officials to reply to 95 per cent. of correspondence from the public within 20 working days.