---

Home Office

Answer

Mr. Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what new computer systems (a) have been and (b) are planned to be installed in the Immigration and Nationality Directorate in (i) the current financial year and (ii) the financial year 2001-02. [156084] Mrs. Roche: The main focus in 2000-01 has been the continuing evolutionary development and roll-out of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate's (IND) two main infrastructure systems POISE and TBC. POISE was supported by Sema until February 2001 and is now supported by Sirius, as the main Home Office Information Technology supplier. TBC is supported by Siemens Business Services. In addition the following four major new systems were implemented: IAF Project (Automated Fingerprint System)--This system allows fingerprints to be automatically matched against IND's collection of 350,000 fingerprint records. ACID Warehouse--This is a data warehouse developed by Siemens and used to collate case information held on a large number of existing IND systems. ASYS--A computer system on POISE supporting the operation of the National Asylum Support Service (NASS) Directorate. Interpreters Database--Information about interpreters used throughout IND is now available on both POISE and TBC. Redevelopment of the Warnings Index also continued, with new hardware and software rolled out early in 2001. Further changes will be completed in 2001-02. In 2001-02 evolutionary development of the POISE and TBC systems will continue, with particular emphasise on the sharing of information across the two systems. There will be enhancements to ASYS and wider roll-out of ACID Warehouse. Siemens will make a number of other low-risk improvements to the TBC system. A review of the use of Information Technology within the Immigration Service is also currently taking place. Work is already in hand on a management information system for Detention Centres (DELMIS).

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

156084; 366 c142-3W

Session

2000-01

Subjects

Software Computers ICT Immigration and Nationality Directorate

Link

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