Written question asked by Baroness McIntosh of Pickering (Conservative) on Thursday, 11 January 2007, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 17 January 2007. It was answered by Joan Ryan (Labour) on Friday, 26 January 2007 on behalf of the Home Office.

Criminal Record Checks

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what criminal record checks are carried out on (a) mini-cab drivers and (b) school assistants from non-EU countries; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: [holding answer 17 January 2007]: Recent events have made clear the complexity of the issues faced across Government and beyond. This is not helped by the differences in systems, procedures and criteria for recording and using for public protection information about criminality in this country and outside the UK. The Home Secretary has therefore instigated a Government-wide review of the way in which such information is shared and used.

Secondary information