§ Jim DowdTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the progress of the Public Safety Radio Communications Project; and what assessment he has made of the impact of the operation of the system on the health of(a) the general public and (b) those using the system. [121942]
§ Ms BlearsThe Public Safety Radio Communications Project is now known as Airwave and is currently being rolled out to all police forces in England, Wales and Scotland. The Airwave service is currently available to 14 forces and completion of the rollout is expected by mid-2005.
We have taken independent expert advice on the health and safety aspects of the TETRA technology used by Airwave. The experts concluded that the specific features of TETRA were unlikely to pose a risk to the health of either the public or those using the system.
645WWe have set up an extensive programme of work monitored by independent scientists to address remaining areas of uncertainty. This has confirmed that all Airwave equipment conforms to international health and safety regulations. No adverse health effects have been found so far. Regular updates are available on our website (http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/docs/tetra.html).