Mr. Gresham Cookeasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has for increasing the amount of modern scientific and techno- 124W logical equipment used by the police for the deduction and prevention of crime.
§ Sir F. SoskiceThis is a matter to which my Department, the inspectorate of constabulary and the police research and planning branch give constant attention. Much attention is, for example, being given to the use of computer techniques in police work and a team of specialists from the Home Office and the police has recently visited Canada and the United States of America to study the similar work being done there. Another important development in the immediate future is likely to be in the field of personal radio equipment, where in addition to the extensive trials now being carried out, a first supply of 1,000 sets has been ordered.