319
Written Answers
Social Services Departments (Supplementary
Employment Grant)
8
22 APRIL 1985
Mrs. Renée Short asked the Prime Minister what response she has made to the letter she has received from the Association of Directors of Social Services proposing that the Government pay social services departments a supplementary employment grant to give jobs to the unemployed involving simple caring tasks.
The Prime Minister: The proposals in the associa- tion's letter were given detailed and careful consideration and a reply was sent on my behalf on 3 April 1985 by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health and Social Security.
My hon. Friend referred the association to the White Paper "Employment: the Challenge for the Nation". Cmnd. 9474-in which the Government's policy on job creation is clearly set out.
HOME DEPARTMENT
Metropolitan Police (Recruitment)
Mr. Bowen Wells asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the effect of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act upon recruitment to the Metropolitan police; and whether a juvenile conviction for petty vandalism is sufficient to bar entry into the force.
Mr. Giles Shaw: By virtue of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975, the provisions of the 1974 Act do not apply to applications for appointment as a police constable. Applicants are not, therefore, entitled to withhold information about a previous conviction on the grounds that it is for other purposes spent under the Act. It is for the chief officer of police to decide whether, in any particular case, an isolated minor offence should be disregarded.
ARWEN 37 Weapon
Mr. Chris Smith asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will obtain and place in the Library a copy of the report of the Metropolitan police officers who witnessed the recent manufacturer's demonstration of the ARWEN 37 weapon.
Mr. Giles Shaw: According to the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis, none of his officers has attended a manufacturer's demonstration of the ARWEN 37 since 1982. No formal report on that demonstration was submitted.
Metropolitan Police (Water Cannon)
Mr. Chris Smith asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions during the past 12 months any of the water cannon vehicles based by the Metropolitan police at the river way site in Greenwich have left the site to travel on the public highway; and what was the purpose of their journey on each such occasion.
Mr. Giles Shaw: I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that during the last 12 months the water cannon left the Greenwich site on two occasions for maintenance.
164
Written Answers
Metropolitan Police (Armoured Vehicles)
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Mr. Chris Smith asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many armoured vehicles the Metropolitan police force has; what types of vehicles they are and how many there are of each type; and on what occasions during the past 12 months each type has been used.
Mr. Giles Shaw: I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that the force has 15 armoured motor cars and that the majority are in regular use.
Metropolitan Police (Drugs Policy)
Mr. Peter Bruinvels asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will meet the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis to discuss the Metropolitan police force's policy towards cases involving the possession of cannabis.
Mr. Giles Shaw: No. Chief officers of police, including the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis, are already well aware of my right hon. and learned Friend's views about drug misuse. They have available to them in exercising their responsibility in this matter the Attorney-General's guidelines on criteria for prosecution and my right hon. and learned Friend's advice to them on the appropriate use of cautioning. It is also open to them in any case of doubt or difficulty to seek the advice of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Metropolitan Police (Vehicles)
Mr. Chris Smith asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many vehicles specifically designated for the carrying of prisoners the Metropolitan police has at the current time; and how many they had in 1979.
Mr. Giles Shaw: Ninety eight in 1979; 114 now.
Television (Background Noise)
Mr. Ashley asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will hold discussions with the chairmen of the British Broadcasting Corporation and Independent Broadcasting Authority about the problems caused to viewers, especially those hard of hearing, by background noise.
Mr. Giles Shaw: I know that the broadcasting authorities are aware of the problems that may be caused to viewers, particularly the hard of hearing, by background noise. If, however, the right hon. Member has particular instances in mind, I am sure that it would be useful if he were to notify the broadcasting authorities with a view to their bringing the matter to the attention of the producers concerned.
British Nationality
Mr. Stanbrook asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he proposes to introduce legislation conferring on British nationals overseas rights and privileges under the British Nationality Act 1981 equivalent to those accorded to other categories of British nationality by that Act with regard to qualification for British citizenship.
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