Care Of Children (Steering Group)

Mr. Rowe
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what are the criteria by which appointments were made to the steering group appointed to review the arrangements by which information is handled on the criminal background of those seeking positions where they will have substantial opportunities for access to children;(2) if he will list the names of all the members on the steering group appointed to review the arrangements by which information is handled on the criminal background of those seeking positions where they will have substantial opportunities for access to children;(3) if he will make it his policy that the steering group appointed to review the arrangements by which information is handled on the criminal background of those seeking positions where they will have substantial opportunities for access to children will seek evidence or proposals from the Association of Directors of Social Services, before reporting;(4) if he will make it his policy that the review of the arrangements by which information is handled on the criminal background of those seeking positions where they will have substantial opportunity for access to children will seek evidence and proposals from all bodies with a direct interest in the outcome of the review before it reports.

Mr. Mellor
The review was set up in the wake of the Colin Evans case to devise as a matter of urgency a system for disclosing criminal backgrounds in relevant cases for the protection of children. The steering group supervising the work, which was kept small to facilitate a speedy review, includes a director of social services and representatives of other major central and local  government interests, and the police. Other bodies are being consulted in the course of the review and there will be an opportunity for comments on recommendations resulting from the review.The Membership of the steering group is:

Mr. D. E. R. Faulkner (Chairman)—Home OfficeMrs. J. Hale—Inner London Education AuthorityMr. D. James—Director of Social Services, LeedsMr. B. Johnson—Chief Constable, LancashireMr. D. Pullen—County Secretary, BuckinghamshireMr. E. Soden—Home OfficeMr.D. Wilkinson — Department of Education andScienceCommander D. Williams — National IdentificationBureauMr. C. Wilson — Department of Health and SocialSecurity Observers: Mr. R. Scott—Scottish OfficeMrs. D. Brown—Northern Ireland Office