§ Lady Olga MaitlandTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on future arrangements for the delivery of police information technology. [24468]
§ Mr. HowardWith the agreement of the police service and police authorities the Government have decided to establish a new body—the Police Information Technology Organisation —to deliver information technology more efficiently and effectively to the police service in England, Wales and Scotland. PITO will initially be set up on a non-statutory basis, as part of the Home Office, with effect from 1 April. The new organisation will take over many of the functions and staff of the former police department science and technology group.
PITO will be responsible for promoting the delivery of national police information technology services, such as the police national computer and the police national network, and taking forward the national strategy for police information systems by co-ordinating the development of local information technology systems where common standards and systems are needed.
PITO will operate on a partnership basis between the Home and Scottish Offices, chief offices and police authorities. To reflect this tripartite approach, a council will be appointed to advise me and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland on the discharge of PITO' s functions.
61WIt is proposed to place PITO on a statutory footing as soon as the Government's legislative programme allows. Following legislation, the advisory council will be replaced by an executive board responsible for the strategic management of the organisation.