HC Deb 24 June 2002 vol 387 cc693-5W
Harry Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department with respect to the criminal conviction certificates to be issued by the Criminal Records Bureau, whether he will issue advice to employers requesting access to such certificates of job applicants; whether he plans to extend the statutory Code of Practice which cover other certificates to the criminal conviction certificate;whether he has undertaken research into the impact of the certificate on recidivism; if he will describe the activities, other than employment and visa applications, where the criminal conviction certificate is likely to be used; and if he will make a statement. [59266]

Hilary Benn

While it is possible that uses will be perceived for them in other circumstances, criminal conviction certificates (or Basic Disclosures, as they will be termed) are essentially intended for the purpose of employment checks, and also in connection with visa applications (instead of the use of the right of subject access under the Data Protection Act 1998). It is essential that people are not unfairly discriminated against because of information revealed in Basic Disclosures that they have been convicted in the past—not least because getting and holding down a regular job is likely to be a positive factor in preventing re-offending. In this, we have taken careful note of the results of recent research published by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and the National Institute for Economic and Social Research. The Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) will therefore be producing a range of advice urging employers to treat such information in a fair and reasonable manner. The CRB is also continuing to work closely with the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development and the National Association of Care and Resettlement of Offenders (Nacro) on the production of guidance for employers. The current provision on a statutory Code of Practice applies only to higher-level Disclosures. We shall consider making provision to cover Basic Disclosures when there is a suitable opportunity. Meanwhile, the CRB has been working on an equivalent "good practice guide".

Harry Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many vehicles' details are recorded on the Police National Computer: what data categories describe these vehicles and what types of markers are used in connection with vehicles; and how many vehicles(a) carry a particular marker and (b) fall within a particular category. [59256]

Mr. Denham

As of 23 May 2002 the estimated number of vehicles registered on the Police National Computer (PNC) database was 50,444,691. The database includes information on the make of the car, the model code, the colour, body type and engine size.

The PNC database stores information, which identifies each vehicle. For example there are four groups, which are used as types of markers, and the categories associated with these markers are as follows:

Vehicle state markers

  • Scrapped
  • Notification of a total loss of a vehicle by an insurer (V23) marked as likely to be an insurance loss
  • Statutory of Road Notification (SORN) is current Vehicle Excise Licence (VEL) expired
  • VEL is void.

Exceptional characteristics

  • Foreign vehicle
  • A direct export
  • A personal export
  • Diplomatic privilege
  • A cherished transfer
  • A permanently exported vehicle.
    • 695W
  • Of interest
  • Stolen
  • Police eyes only
  • Record query

Driving Vehicle Licence Agency (DVLA)-related status

  • Notified as Void by DVLA
  • DVLA notified that keeper has changed by owner
  • DVLA notified of a keeper has changed by police/local authority
  • The vehicle is In Trade

If the vehicle has not been registered at DVLA (i.e. a V5 registration document has not been issued for it).

Statistics are not maintained on either markers or the number of vehicles in each category due to the dynamic nature of the database. In addition to the 'markers' above, vehicles held on the PNC have 'Police Interest' reports in the following categories: LOS (lost/stolen), FOU (found), INF (information), SEE (seen and checked), COR (correction), REM (removed), DES (destroyed).

The number of vehicles with 'Police Interest' reports as at 23 May 2002 was 894,549.