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Home Office

Answer

Mr. Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which of the three new criminal certificates will be required by (a) a person seeking employment as a teacher in a primary school, (b) a person applying for employment with the police service and (c) a person seeking a position of responsibility within the Scout Movement; and if he will make a statement. [136801] Mr. Charles Clarke: [holding answer 6 November 2000]: Part V of the Police Act 1997, under which the Criminal Records Bureau is being established, does not impose a requirement for criminal record checks. The type of certificate for which a person will be eligible will essentially be determined on a case-by-case basis, measuring the particular circumstances of a position against the criteria. A school teacher would plainly be eligible for the highest level of certificate--an enhanced criminal record certificate--under the criterion of regularly caring for, training, supervising or being in sole charge of persons aged under 18. Many within the Scout movement would also be eligible for the enhanced level of certificate, although the matter would depend upon the precise nature of the duties and responsibilities. In practice, it is expected that police officers will continue to be subject to separate vetting arrangements, which include additional and more vigorous checks not appropriate to most other occupations.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

356 c403-4W; 136801

Session

1999-00

Subjects

Criminal records Employment Police Vetting Teachers Scouts and guides

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk