Written question asked by Nick Gibb (Conservative) on Thursday, 26 January 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 30 January 2006. It was answered by Alan Johnson (Labour) on Monday, 22 May 2006 on behalf of the Department for Education and Skills.

Child Protection

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what progress has been made since the statement of 19 January in investigating the 13 cases of sex offenders in which information was not complete; and in what respect the data on two of these was inconsistent.

Answer: In my predecessor’s statement of1 March she made clear that each of the 13 cases had been considered further. In 10 of the 13 cases the individuals concerned had been assessed and, where necessary, additional information has been sought from the police. None of these 10 individuals is considered to pose a risk to children and no further action is now being taken.In the remaining three cases Sir Roger Singleton advised considering the possible barring of the individuals concerned. On the basis of the most recent information Sir Roger Singleton has advised that in two of the cases there is no reason to proceed further, and the cases are closed. One case has been reopened and additional information will enable us to consider whether this individual should be barred. Police know the whereabouts of this individual and have assured us that the individual is not working with children or in our schools.The inconsistent data related to reconciliation of information relating to offences in two cases held by Departmental Officials with Police information. Verification was not completed by the time of the Parliamentary Statement, but was subsequently completed.

Secondary information