§ Mr. SpellarTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he has taken to reduce the volume of paperwork involved for the police in processing cases; and what consideration has been given to creating software for use on personal computers to ease this burden.
§ Mr. MacleanThe Government have set up an efficiency scrutiny, which is examining the administrative burdens faced by the police in the context of their role in the criminal justice system as a whole. The scrutiny aims to build on existing initiatives, including those arising out384W of a study carried out in 1993 by external consultants. The consultants' report, "Opportunities for Reducing Administrative Burdens on the Police", made 16 detailed recommendations, all of which were accepted by the Government. Good progress has been made in all areas.
As recommended by that report, standard computer systems for all forces will be developed under the terms of the national strategy for police information systems, which my right hon. and learned Friend launched last November. A standard case processing system is among the highest priorities for development under the terms of the strategy.