§ Sir John WheelerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he received the report of the major review into radio communications in the police and fire services; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeCopies of this report have been placed in the Library, and will be made available to those with an interest, both in the emergency services and industry. I welcome this report. It sets out a strategy for 67W the development of radio communications for the police and fire services which would enable these services to make the most efficient use of the radio spectrum and take advantage of the latest advances in technology and thus to ensure that their radio systems operate as effectively and efficiently as possible, and give good value for money.
There are, however, a number of issues which require further work before decisions can be taken on which new systems are best suited to emergency service use and how they might best be implemented. This work will constitute a development programme which would be undertaken by my Department under the direction of a steering group including representatives from the police and fire services.