§ Mr. Alex CarlileTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in what international research and co-operation, his Department has been involved concerning the introduction of new technologies to combat crime; and if he will make a statement. [9889]
§ Mr. Maclean[holding answer 22 January 1996]: The Home Office police scientific development branch has memoranda of understanding with the Dutch Ministry of Justice, the Bundeskriminalamt in Germany and the Office of National Drug Control Policy in the United States of America with a view to collaborating in the research, development, evaluation and operational use of law enforcement technologies. Further MOUs are under discussion with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Drug Enforcement Administration and the New South Wales police. PSDB is also a member of the working group on international technology support and participates in numerous international specialist crime-related conferences. My Department is also working with the European Committee for Standardisation to develop a European standard for vehicle tracking devices.