HL Deb 29 January 1998 vol 585 cc68-9WA
Lord Marlesford

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will list the new development tasks currently being undertaken on the Police National Computer at the Hendon Data Centre, indicating in respect of each the starting date, the expected completion date and the estimated cost. [HL239]

Lord Williams of Mostyn

The development tasks in progress on the Police National Computer (PNC) are set out below and have been agreed and prioritised by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) PNC Steering Committee. A precise breakdown of the cost of each development is not available: however, the main element in each case is the staffing resources deployed at the Hendon Data Centre. The estimated costs are therefore expressed in terms of days' effort.

Project Start Date Estimated Completion Date Days' Effort
Year 2000 August 1997 October 1998 2,000
(to ensure compliance with the century date change)
NAFIS September 1995 May 1998 3,800
(the National Automated Fingerprint Identification System)
QUEST May 1996 April 1998 1,800
(to enable searches of the PHOENIX criminal records database using descriptive information)
PNC links October 1997 December 1998 600
to NSPIS Case Preparation application (National Strategy for Police Information Systems)
High Priority Mid 1997 Mid 1998 600
Requests For Change
(where the Police Service asks for modification to an existing application on the PNC)
Other Requests Ongoing 400
For Change
Drivers October 1997 December 1998 1,500
(information held about drivers, as opposed to their vehicle ownership, such as penalty points accrued. etc.)

In addition, there are a number of major developments which may, subject to ACPO agreement and priority, be added to the programme when resources permit. These are set out below, together with an initial estimate of the resources required, which may vary as User Requirements are finalised.

Links to other NSPIS applications 800

Firearms Certificate Holders 400

Sex Offender Enhancements 600