§ Mr. Cohenasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how value for money is assessed before the purchase of computers and hardware by police authorities.
§ Mr. Giles ShawIt is for police authorities to satisfy themselves that expenditure on police computers represents good value for money. The Home Office issues guidance to chief officers and police authorities from time to time on the considerations to be taken into account in 511W assessing value for money in this field. The most recent guidance is contained in Home Office circular No. 23/1985, a copy of which is available in the Library.
In considering proposals for computer equipment for the Metropolitan police, of which my right hon. Friend is the police authority, he expects to see an investment appraisal which sets out the following:
as well as details as to how it is proposed to procure and finance the equipment and other relevant considerations.
- a description of the objectives which the equipment is intended to achieve;
- the full range of options for achieving these objectives;
- the costs and benefits of each option;
- an assessement of the likely effects of the equipment on police and civil staff manpower;