§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the current situation in respect of the use by police forces of IBM's automatic fingerprinting recognition system; and if he will make a statement. [39729]
§ Mr. MacleanThe contract between the automated fingerprint recognition—AFR—consortium, representing 36 police forces in England and Wales, and IBM for the provision of automated fingerprint recognition facilities was terminated earlier this year. The forces concerned have made other arrangements: the 32 which have remained members of the AFR consortium are receiving an interim service provided by the Lockheed Martin Corporation.