Written question asked by Walter Sweeney (Conservative), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 18 February 1997. It was answered by Lord Blencathra (Conservative) on Tuesday, 18 February 1997 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: What steps he is taking to improve the efficiency of the police through the use of information technology.

Answer: Mr. Sweeney: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to improve the efficiency of the police through the use of information technology. [15787] Mr. Maclean: Part IV of the Police Bill contains provisions to establish the police information technology organisation as an executive non-departmental public body. This new independent tripartite framework will lead to the improved delivery of cost-effective, responsive and timely information technology services to the police. PITO is responsible for promoting the delivery of national police information services and taking forward the national strategy for police information systems-- NSPIS--by co-ordinating the development of local information technology systems. Local computer applications being developed under NSPIS, enhancements to the police national computer and major projects to provide the next generation of automated fingerprint identification and radio systems are amongst the PITO programmes which will improve efficiency and ensure that information technology is fully harnessed in the fight against crime.

Secondary information