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Home Office

Answer

Mr. Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received about the changes to the disclosure levels regarding information which the Criminal Records Bureau will be required to provide to local authorities when they check on the suitability of persons to become Hackney carriage or private hire drivers; and if he will make a statement. [129184] Paul Goggins [holding answer 11 September 2003]:: At present, all applicants for licences as taxi and private hire vehicle drivers are eligible for a Standard Disclosure. Some--principally those whose duties regularly involve being in sole charge of unaccompanied children (for example, under a school contract) or vulnerable adults--are eligible for an Enhanced Disclosure. Earlier this year, as part of a wider consultation exercise about recommendations of the Independent Review Team appointed by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary to look at the operation of the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB), we sought views on a proposition that the criteria for levels of Disclosure should be set by Ministers, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, on the basis of risk assessment and that it would then be the function of the CRB to ensure that the criteria were observed. An analysis of the responses received was placed in the Library on 5 June. We have since received a number of representations on this matter, instigated by the National Association of Taxi and Private Hire Licensing and Enforcement Officers. These argue that licensing authorities should determine the level of Disclosure required. This view will be taken into account in arriving at a conclusion on the matter.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

129184; 411 c412W

Session

2002-03

Subjects

Disclosure of information Criminal records Taxis Vetting Criminal Records Bureau

Link

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