HC Deb 28 February 1980 vol 979 cc678-9W
Mr. Dubs

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many sets of fingerprints are held at New Scotland Yard on the computerised videofile information system.

Mr. Whitelaw

The videofile finger-print system at New Scotland Yard is not expected to be fully operational until the end of 1980, by which time it will hold on video tape about 2.5 million sets of fingerprints at present held on paper.

Mr. Dubs

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the fingerprints and photographs taken of people detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act will be destroyed when the Act ceases to have effect.

Mr. Whitelaw

This will depend on the circumstances prevailing at the time.