§ Lord Marlesfordasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by Lord Rooker on 22 January (WA 195), whether they still expect the design and development of the central register of persons who have applied for or have been granted a shotgun or firearm certificate on the Police National Computer, as required by Section 39 of the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997, which came into force on 1 October 1997, to be completed by the end of May 2002 and for all work to be completed in November 2002; and, if not, whether they will set a new timetable for the implementation of this legislative requirement. [HL4179]
§ The Minister of State, Home Office (Lord Rooker)I understand from the Police Information Technology Organisation (PITO) that development of the central register has been re-scheduled to take into account the work which was needed to implement the DNA database and other external factors. The transition from development to pilot operation will now start in September. The pilot operation will run from November to February 2003, with roll-out to all forces completing in May 2003. PITO continues to plan the delivery of a number of new applications on the Police National Computer in parallel to make the most effective use of skilled and technical resources. But it is possible that other work needed in relation to other urgent PNC projects on persistent offenders and on sex and violent offenders could have a further impact on these re-planned dates. The full impact cannot yet be assessed but could lead to a further delay of two to four months.