§ Mr. ShersbyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consideration he has given to the improvement of police communications by employing the use of a space satellite; if he has explored the possibility of co-operation with his counterparts in other member countries of the European Community; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggAs part of its programme of work aimed at improving police communications, the Department keeps under active review the costs and benefits of using satellites, either on a United Kingdom or a European basis. Our present view is that such a development is not yet either a practical or an economic proposition, but a further review of the use of this technology for police communications is about to be undertaken.