§ Mr. GreenwayTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether volunteers are entitled to receive criminal records checks free of charge; and what assessment has been made of the charges made by umbrella bodies to volunteers wishing to receive checks through the Criminal Records Bureau. [72476]
§ Hilary Benn[holding answer 23 July 2002]: It was announced in February last year that Standard and Enhanced Disclosures would be issued free by the Criminal Records Bureau in the case of volunteers.
Estimates by a number of organisations as to the level of costs charged by countersigning bodies—whether by an organisation—acting on its own behalf or an umbrella body countersigning applications at the request of others—have varied very considerably, depending upon a range of factors including the size of the organisation and the number of applications to be processed. In guidance for umbrella bodies, the Bureau has urged that any charges made for providing the service should be kept to a minimum. Organisations wishing to use an umbrella body are advised to enquire about, and to compare, any such charges.
We have been determined that all those wishing to access the Criminal Records Bureau's (CRB's) service should have ready means of access. Up to 16 July, a total of 917 umbrella bodies had been registered by the Criminal Records Bureau. Of those. 442 have agreed to act as "open" umbrella bodies to provide this service for bodies outside their own circle or sector), of which 65 are voluntary bodies. Voluntary organisations needing to find an umbrella body should access the CRB's website www.disclosure.gov.uk which has an umbrella body search facility, or contact the CRB direct on 0870 90 90 811. Organisations are continuing to apply for registration, and the number of umbrella bodies will increase. We are actively exploring means of developing the network further.