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Firearms Compensation
Mr. Colvin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how much compensation has been paid as a result of the ban on the ownership of handguns to date; [52830]
(2) what the staff and overhead costs have been to date of operating the compensation scheme for owners of handguns; and what estimate he has made of the total costs.
Mr. Michael: The estimated total cost of operating the compensation scheme over two years is £3.0 million. The staff costs to date are £1.2 million out of total Firearms Compensation Section capital and running costs expenditure of £2.08 million. £53.8 million has been paid in compensation so far.
Dr. Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures he proposes to expedite the payment of Category C claims under the Firearms Compensation Scheme. [52361]
Mr. Michael [holding answer 29 July 1998]: The Firearms Compensation Section (FCS) is taking all possible steps to clear the remaining Option C payments under the large calibre handgun surrender scheme and the ex gratia surrender scheme for small-calibre pistols as quickly as possible, having regard to the need to scrutinise claims closely to ensure that payments are made in accordance with the requirements of the compensation scheme and to guard against fraud. A number of measures are being taken to increase the processing rate, while maintaining these safeguards.
Two examining teams have been allocated specifically to dealing with the numerically few but very complex claims from firearms dealers, which present particular problems relating to the evidence of value of the surrendered goods, and consideration is being given to alternative forms of evidence where a dealer is unable to provide the precise evidence of value required by the terms of the scheme. The FCS is working closely with dealers and their representatives to resolve the outstanding issues as quickly as possible.
Arrangements have been made with the Forensic Science Service to identify unfamiliar items included in compensation claims, so that a quick decision can be made on their eligibility for compensation, and we are looking at the scope for flexibility within the scheme to make offers of payment other than through the time-consuming process of independent valuation in suitable cases. We are also streamlining administration where possible to reduce unnecessary work, for example by returning the evidence of value to claimants on request, rather than automatically, and by simplifying the database of values used by FCS as a payment guide by reducing the range and values of guns and equipment recorded.
The staff resources devoted to the operation of the compensation scheme have increased to 56, including 11 Agency staff. Given the expertise required to operate this complex part of the scheme, staff numbers have reached the maximum practical level, and recruitment efforts are aimed at sustaining that level. Staff are working regular weekend overtime in order to complete the task as quickly as possible.
30 Jul 1998 : Column: 394
Because of the complexity of dealers' claims and the wide variety of guns and equipment surrendered under Option C, much of it ineligible, progress with the payment of claims has been initially slow since work started full time on these claims at the end of May. The processing rate is expected to increase as the measures outlined above take effect and, although it no longer appears possible to clear all the claims by the end of the year, payment offers should be made on the great majority of claims by that time. We will work continuously to reduce this timescale if at all possible.
The Agency staff who have been registering the claims received under the statutory compensation scheme for small-calibre pistols surrendered in February 1998 have completed their work and will begin the processing of Option A and B claims under this scheme at the beginning of August. This work will continue in parallel with the work on the remaining Option C claims under the large calibre and ex gratia schemes.
Mr. David Heath:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for Option C compensation for firearms remain outstanding in the Avon and Somerset Police Authority area. [53430]
Mr. Michael:
There are currently 578 claims from the Avon and Somerset Police Force area where payment has not yet been made under Option C of the compensation scheme. The great majority of these have already received a payment under Options A or B. In 22 of these cases, an offer of payment has been made and is awaiting acceptance by the claimant.
Mr. Etherington:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the average time taken to process applications to his Department on (a) Form ELR, (b) Form FLR (m), (c) Form FLR (s), (d) Form FLR (o), (e) Form SET (m), (f) Form SET (f), (g) Form SET (o), (h) Form AN and (i) travel document applications. [52779]
Mr. Mike O'Brien:
The average time taken to process postal applications received by staff in the Immigration and Nationality Directorate's caseworking groups for further, indefinite and exceptional leave to remain (excluding refugees) is:
In the second quarter of 1998, these types of case amounted to 46 per cent. of all decisions.
In the same period, a further 30 per cent. of decisions were dealt with by the Public Inquiry Office, which resolves over 90 per cent. of inquiries and applications on the same day, and a further 24 per cent. of decisions on postal applications were dealt with under the fast track procedures introduced last year for applications identified as straightforward. In the first six months of 1998, these procedures enabled cases to be processed within three days of receipt.
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Settlement applications are also made by refugees, using the form SET(0). The average time taken to deal with these applications is two weeks.
The average time taken to process an application for a travel document is between 12 and 14 weeks.
The average time taken to process an application for naturalisation using the form AN is 19.8 months.
Ms Ryan:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applicants refused British nationality have been detained prior to removal since 1 January. [53329]
Mr. Mike O'Brien:
No one would be detained on the sole ground that they had been refused British nationality. It is possible that someone detained as an illegal entrant or deportee might also have been refused British nationality, but we have no records to determine this.
Mr. Mullin:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he has taken to implement the measures outlined in the Government's response to the Third Report of the Home Affairs Committee Session 1996-97, on Freemasonry in the Police and Judiciary; if he will set his proposed timetable for any remaining steps; and if he will make a statement. [52917]
Mr. Michael:
I wrote to the United Grand Lodge of the Freemasons on 27 March, requesting the Freemasons Society to disclose names of its members working within those professions and occupations listed in the Government's response to the Third Report. The United Grand Lodge replied on 24 April without providing this information. On 11 May, I wrote to the United Grand Lodge informing the Freemasons that the Government would press on with the process of implementing their policy of declaration and registration. The categories in relation to which the Government are currently considering implementation of its policy are: police; all members of the Judiciary, including the lay magistracy; Crown Prosecution Service legally qualified staff; Probation; Prison Service; Coroners; and members of police authorities.
Since May, officials have been discussing the mechanics of how to implement this policy, including a timetable for establishing a voluntary register and its format. The first step in the implementation process is the collation of names of serving office-holders and employees. This has already begun. As far as new office-holders and employees are concerned, including those transferring to new posts, relevant Departments are considering how to revise their recruitment procedures in order to meet the terms of the Government's policy. This process will continue in parallel with the implementation of arrangements for serving office-holders and employees.
Mr. Opik:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what plans he has to provide greater assistance to voluntary organisations and charities when they wish to screen the police records of their personnel; and if he will make a statement; [52774]
30 Jul 1998 : Column: 396
Mr. Michael:
We have decided to implement Part V of the Police Act 1997 which provides for the establishment of a Criminal Records Agency. Once established, the Agency will be responsible for the issue of the three forms of certificates described in the Act. Priority will be given to the issue of Enhanced Criminal Record Certificates which will be available for those applying for positions which involve regular caring for, training, supervising or being in sole charge of persons under eighteen. The Agency will also issue Criminal Record Certificates, for posts or purposes which are exceptions to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, including duties involving regular contact with persons under eighteen; and Criminal Conviction Certificates, for general employment purposes. Consideration is being given to the arrangements for charging and the phasing in of certificates.
ELR: 147 days
FLR(M): 240 days
FLR(S): 111 days
FLR(O): 116 days
SET(M): 119 days
SET(F): 177 days
SET(0): 150 days.
(2) what targets his Department has set for the percentage of voluntary workers working in contact with vulnerable groups, who will have had their records screened by the police; and if he will make a statement. [52775]
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