CRIMINAL RECORDS BUREAU CHARGING FOR VOLUNTEERS

Early day motion 1326, tabled 16 May 2002 by Lindsay Hoyle (Labour). Signed by 62 members.

That this House notes the Government's pledge made last year to meet the costs of police checks on those volunteers wishing to work with young and vulnerable people through the voluntary sector; welcomes the establishment of the Criminal Records Bureau which will ensure that those unsuitable candidates will not be allowed to be registered as volunteers; but expresses grave concern at the fact that the cost of carrying out the criminal record checks will be passed on to the volunteers by the new Umbrella Registered Bodies, leaving organisations such as the Scouts and other voluntary organisations facing huge costs, or the individual volunteer facing costs; and calls upon the Government to uphold their pledge and ensure that volunteers and voluntary organisations do not have to pay for criminal record checks on potential volunteers.

Signatures by party: Labour 44, Liberal Democrat 14, Labour/Co-operative 3, UUP 1.