§ Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbottsasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many individuals have been cleared by the Criminal Records Bureau for more than (a) five 73WA different purposes, (b) four different purposes, (c) three different purposes, and (d) two different purposes; and [HL5048]
Whether the independent review of the workings of the Criminal Records Bureau made recommendations concerning multiple applications from a single individual; if so, what they were; and when they are due to be implemented. [HL5049]
§ Baroness Scotland of AsthalIt is not possible to extract this information from the Criminal Records Bureau's database (CRB) because its information technology (IT) system does not provide a facility for this.
The independent review team delivered its conclusions and 10 recommendations to my right honourable friend the Home Secretary last December. My noble and learned friend Lord Falconer of Thoroton set out the Government's response on 27 February 2003, Official Report, (WA 49–53). None of the recommendations addressed the issue of multiple applications from a single individual. But we are committed to making the disclosure service as accessible as possible. In order to reduce cost and avoid unnecessary bureaucracy, employers are encouraged to consider accepting a disclosure issued on a previous occasion for a similar purpose. The CRB has produced guidance to assist this process. The arrangements have been kept under review.
§ Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbottsasked Her Majesty's Government:
What are the three most common faults in incorrectly completed Criminal Records Bureau application forms; and what steps are being taken to reduce their frequency. [HL5051]
§ Baroness Scotland of AsthalThe three most common faults in incorrectly completed disclosure application forms are as follows:
- 21 per cent have omissions in the applicant's five-year address history;
- 11 per cent contain an incorrect counter-signatory reference number; and
- 9 per cent contain insufficient evidence of the applicant's identify.
The Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) continually assesses and amends its operational procedures to provide its customers with an easily accessible and user-friendly service. This includes advising customers on the correct completion of the disclosure application form. This is communicated via revised and improved guidance notes for disclosure applicants, a monthly newsletter for registered bodies, a video and information contained on the CRB website, www.disclosure.gov.uk. A dedicated registered body assurance team is also available to offer advice and guidance to registered bodies on all aspects of the disclosure service.
74WA
§ Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbottsasked Her Majesty's Government:
What factors justify the doubling in the charge for a standard check by the Criminal Records Bureau from £12 to £24. [HL5052]
§ Baroness Scotland of AsthalWe have always made it clear that the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) would be financed through the fees charged for providing the disclosure service, and that the fee levels would be subject to regular review. The disclosure fee is determined by a combination of CRB costs and the volume of applications. The level of demand has been lower than expected, due principally to the decision to defer introduction of basic disclosures, while some costs have increased—for example, as a result of the introduction of a paper application channel in response to customer demand.