§ Mr. ToddTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to implement part IV of the Police Act 1997. [6547]
§ Mr. MichaelWe intend to bring part IV of the Police Act 1997, which establishes the Police Information Technology Organisation (PITO) as an executive non-departmental public body (NDPB), into force in two stages. In the autumn, we shall appoint the board of PITO and confer on it the necessary powers to bring to fruition the preparations required to establish the NDPB. The board will then take on its statutory functions in respect of police information technology and procurement with effect from 1 April 1998. PITO's new status will bring the police service into the heart of decision making and lead to the improved delivery of cost-effective and timely information technology systems.
PITO was set up in April 1996 on an interim basis as part of the Home Office. We are today publishing the organisation's first annual report, copies of which are available in the Library.