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Police Drivers (Training)
Mr. Stinchcombe: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidelines are given to police authorities on the (a) type and (b) amount of special training that must be given to police officers before they are allowed to drive police vehicles in emergency situations. [38538]
Mr. Michael: The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) has provided forces with detailed guidelines on police driver training. ACPO's police driving report published in May 1989, made recommendations on the grading of drivers and the core elements and minimum lengths of training courses. Such training is progressive and is designed to develop the skills of drivers so that they increase their awareness of the range of factors that affect their own training, their own capabilities, the characteristics of the vehicles they drive, and road and traffic conditions. However, it is ultimately for individual chief constables to determine the extent of training received by their officers and how they are deployed.
Under current arrangements, officers attend Standard or Advanced driver training courses either in-force or regionally. They progress from Standard to Advanced driver training through patrol experience and driver ability.
Driver training is based on "Roadcraft", a published manual available to the public, the 1989 police driving report and the Horner Report of 1995 on pursuits. Following the death of Judith Hood, killed as a result of a collision with a police car driven by a driving instructor on a training exercise, ACPO set up a working party to examine police pursuit driving training. The working group has examined the recommendations of both the 1989 and 1995 reports which it considers to be good practice but the group has yet to complete its work. The key issue is the need to train officers so they are capable of understanding modern road conditions and exercise all due care when travelling at speeds and in conditions beyond those experienced by the general motorist. Attitudes of police drivers and computerised driver simulator training are key areas currently being explored by the working group.
Mr. McNamara:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to amend section 14 of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989. [38902]
22 Apr 1998 : Column: 639
Mr. Michael:
The future of all the provisions of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989, including section 14, and the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Acts 1996 and 1998, is currently under consideration. The Government's thinking will be set out in the forthcoming consultation paper on permanent United Kingdom-wide counter-terrorism legislation.
Mr. McNamara:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the provisions contained in Part III of the Police Act 1997 relating to actions with respect to property and wireless telegraphy. [38903]
Mr. Michael:
We intend to implement the provisions contained in Part III of the Police Act 1997 as quickly as possible. Detailed work is continuing on a number of points relating to the appointment of Commissioners and the practical arrangements necessary to support their work. We intend to lay the draft code of practice on intrusive surveillance before Parliament during the Summer.
Mr. Cummings:
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many recipients of each of the various components of disability living allowance there are in the Seaham and Peterlee areas. [37897]
Mr. Denham:
The administration of Disability Living Allowance is a matter for Mr. Peter Mathison, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to my hon. Friend.
| Components | Number |
|---|---|
| All awards | 11,000 |
| Care Components: | |
| Higher rate care | 1,700 |
| Middle rate care | 2,300 |
| Lower rate care | 2,900 |
| Mobility Components: | |
| Higher rate mobility | 8,500 |
| Lower rate mobility | 1,500 |
I hope that this is helpful.
22 Apr 1998 : Column: 640
Mr. Kirkwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many reviews of disability living allowance awards were requested by recipients during each of the years 1995-96, 1996-97 and 1997-98; and what was the average time between the request and the review decision being made. [39217]
Mr. Denham: The information is set out in the table.
| Total review requests | Average time from request to review decision (days) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1995-96 | 344,100 | 44 |
| 1996-97 | 375,107 | 49 |
| 1997-98 | 354,732 | 52 |
Notes:
1. Figures relate to reviews initiated by the claimant.
2. Some decisions relate to requests received in the previous year.
3. Figures relate to decisions where a disallowed claim for benefit was allowed on review or where the amount or duration of a previous award has been increased.
Source:
Analytical Services Division: 100 per cent. data.
Mr. Kirkwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many reviews of disability living allowance awards during each of the years 1995-96, 1996-97 and 1997-98 were requested (a) within three months of the original decision and (b) at any time broken down by reviews initiated by (i) the claimant and (ii) the Benefits Agency; and how many in each case were found in the claimant's favour. [39218]
Mr. Keith Bradley: The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is set out in the tables.
| Review decisions | 1995-96 | 1996-97 | 1997-98 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reviews requested within three months of the original decision | ||||
| Requests received | 172,914 | 199,705 | 201,632 | |
| Decisions in the claimant's favour(12)(13) | 64,100 | 67,112 | 67,894 | |
| Reviews requested after three months of the original decision | ||||
| Requests received | 171,186 | 175,402 | 153,100 | |
| Decisions in the claimant's favour(12)(13) | 82,666 | 76,643 | 66,469 | |
(12) Some decisions relate to requests received in the previous year.
(13) Figures relate to decisions where a disallowed claim for benefit was allowed on review or where the amount or duration of a previous award has been increased.
Note:
Figures relate to reviews initiated by the claimant.
Source:
Analytical Services Division: 100 per cent. data.
| 1995-96 | 1996-97 | 1997-98 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total initiated by claimant | 138,000 | 135,400 | 122,600 |
| In claimant's favour(14) | 119,200 | 116,500 | 103,000 |
| Total initiated by Secretary of State | 4,000 | 3,400 | 8,800 |
| In claimant's favour(14) | 3,000 | 2,700 | 8,100 |
(14) Benefit awarded for the first time or amount and/or duration of award increased.
Notes:
1. Figures relate to 12 month period ending February.
2. This table does not include new and repeat claims where benefit was originally disallowed; or cases where benefit was terminated on review.
Source:
Analytical Services Division: 5 per cent. data.
22 Apr 1998 : Column: 641
Disability Working Allowance
Ms Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many disability working allowance renewal forms were returned to claimants because they arrived too early during February and March; and if she will make a statement; [38113]
- (2) what estimate she has made of the number of DWA forms that were returned because they arrived too early, separately identifying the costs of (a) staff time and (b) postage; and if she will make a statement. [38114]
Mr. Keith Bradley: The administration of Disability Working Allowance is a matter for Peter Mathison, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to my hon. Friend.
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