HC Deb 04 November 2002 vol 392 cc97-8W
Annabelle Ewing

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many non-devolved posts were advertised in the Press in each year since June 1999; and what percentage of them were advertised in the Scottish press. [76855]

Beverley Hughes

[holding answer 24 October 2002]: The information requested is not available.

Stephen Hesford

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to improve the detection of crime and to increase the numbers of criminals brought to justice. [76933]

Mr. Denham

I refer my hon Friend to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Dudley North (Ross Cranston) on 28 October 2002,Official Report, column 626W.

Harry Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the Government's involvement with the International Organisation for Migration; and the role he expects that organisation to take in the UK. [77339]

Beverley Hughes

The United Kingdom (UK) joined the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in June 2001. This was a result of an agreement between the Home Office, the Department for International Development and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, as the UK was increasingly making use of the IOM's services, and the increasing level of work being taken forward by the Home Office in conjunction with the IOM was at odds with the United Kingdom's retaining "observer" status.

The Government funds many projects undertaken by the IOM. The IOM co-ordinates the delivery of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate's Voluntary Assisted Returns Programme for asylum seekers and failed asylum seekers.

Additionally, the UK part finances IOM projects on return and reintegration.

Furthermore, the IOM have considerable expertise in supporting the victims of people trafficking, and Home Office officials have consulted closely with the IOM in order to develop support systems for victims of trafficking.

We see IOM's assistance to be crucial to our plans for practical action against illegal migration, by working proactively beyond our borders.

Dr. Evan Harris

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place in the Library a copy of the application pack for candidates for the job of Chair of the Commission for Racial Equality; and if he will make a statement on the differences between this pack and those issued to applicants for this post on previous occasions. [77431]

Beverley Hughes

I have today placed a copy of the information pack for candidates for the post of Chair of the Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) in the Library.

The post of Chair was advertised for the first time in 1999. On that occasion the pack set out basic information about the CRE and the person specification. This time the information pack has been re-designed to provide additional information about the wider race equality agenda and the government's support for the work of the Commission. No new requirements have been added to the role of the Chair, but more information about the role has been included in the information pack.

Dr. Evan Harris

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list those public bodies for which his Department is responsible where provision is made in the job description of the Chairman that the policies of the body be compatible with those of the Secretary of State. [77432]

Beverley Hughes

The information pack sent to candidates for the post of Chair of the Commission for Racial Equality (CRE), which is currently vacant, states thatThe Chair must ensure that the CRE's policies are compatible with those of the Secretary of State and that the Commission's affairs are conducted with probity

The requirement is not a new one as the Commission for Racial Equality's policy and resource framework is agreed with Ministers who remain accountable to Parliament for the work and efficiency of the Commission.

To my knowledge, this particular form of words has not been used in the job descriptions sent to applicants for the post of Chair of other public bodies sponsored by the Home Office. However, all non Departmental Public Bodies (NDPBs) agree their policy and resources framework with Ministers, and Ministers are answerable to Parliament for the policies and performance of all public bodies sponsored by their departments, including their use of resources and the policy framework within which they operate.