To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much it cost to process Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks in the last year for which figures are available; how many CRB checks were carried out in that period; and how much was received in fees for checks in that period. (260278)

[holding answer 3 March 2009]: I have been asked to reply.

The cost to process Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks in the last financial year for which information is available (2007-08) is £88.2 million. During that period the CRB processed 3.4 million disclosures, which generated £97.8 million in revenue from fees. It should be borne in mind that 20 per cent. of the disclosures processed were for volunteer applications for which there is no charge, which represents a considerable saving to the voluntary sector. The CRB is committed to providing free-of-charge checks for volunteers.