HC Deb 05 May 2004 vol 420 cc1542-3W
Sandra Gidley

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what estimate he has made of the number of existing home care staff who will require Criminal Records Bureau checks; [166008]

(2) how many ex sting care home staff had enhanced level Criminal Records Bureau checks processed by 29 February; what percentage this constitutes of the total number of existing care home staff; and if he will make a statement. [166018]

Ms Blears

As at 29 February, a total of 85,062 Disclosure applications from existing care home staff had been processed by the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB). This figure is made up of 80,327 Enhanced Disclosures and 4,735 Standard Disclosures. As at 21 April, the number of applications processed had risen to 105,765 out of a total received of 115,532.

There are no reliable figures to indicate what percentage of over all existing staff this represents, because initial estimates from the Department of Health were that checks would need to be carried out on 250,000 existing staff. However discussions with the care sector suggest that there is a high turnover of staff in this sector, and as a result the actual figure could be at least 20–40 per cent. lower.

In September 2003, the Department of Health issued its schedule to employers and owners in the care sector on the reintroduction of the previously postponed checks on existing care home staff. Initially, employers were asked to send application forms to the CRB by 31 December 2003. Because the number of applications received by that date were low and following discussion between the Criminal Records Bureau, the Home Office and the Department of Health, this date was extended to 29 February 2004.

Mr. Hoban

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have(a) one, (b) two, (c) three, (d) four, (e) five and (f) more than five registrations with the Criminal Records Bureau. [167975]

Ms Blears

[holding answer 23 April 2004]: I believe that the question refers to the number of people who have applied for more than one Disclosure from the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB). I am unable to provide an answer, because the CRB's computer system does not hold this information centrally.

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contract for a further period of 24 months.
(UKPA) United Kingdom Passport Agency Building Work.

Counter/Reception refurbishment in Glasgow.
(HMPS) Her Majesty's Prison Service Cleaning contract at HMP Long Lartin until 2004.

Staff mess catering contract at HMP Long Lartin 30/4/01–29/4/04.

Catering framework agreement under Phase 2 Project for Staff Messes and Visits

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Roofing contract at HMP Parkhurst.

Roofing contract at HMP Leicester.

Cameron House conversion contract at HMP Norwich.

Works contract at HMP Ranby.

Works contract at HMP Hindley.

Roofing contract at HMP Hindley.

Refurbishment contract at HMP Lewes.

Installation of call system contract at HMP Exeter.
(NPD) National Probation Directorate Facilities Management Services—National Probation Service (NPS) North Division

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Facilities Management NPS West Division Estate commencing 1/4/03.

Both contracts fixed for three years with options to extend both by four times, six

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