HL Deb 10 March 1998 vol 587 c34WA
The Earl of Haddington

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many computer software projects are being developed under the Scottish Police Information Strategy (SPIS)); and for what purpose. [HL886]

Lord Sewel

The Scottish Police Information Strategy (SPIS) is taking an integrated approach to systems development and is thus a single programme rather than a series of software projects. The strategy has identified more than 60 areas of activity within policing in Scotland that may benefit from the provision of automated systems.

The Earl of Haddington

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the remit of the Firearms Administration Project (part of the Scottish Police Information Strategy (SPIS)); and what is the role of Northern and Strathclyde Police in that project. [HL887]

Lord Sewel

The remit of the project is to provide Scottish police forces with a Firearms Administration computer system taking into account the standards laid down under the Scottish Police Information Strategy (SPIS) and to act as a vehicle to test the approach and technologies envisaged by SPIS.

Northern Constabulary and Strathclyde Police have both provided development staff who have identified the Firearms Administration procedures carried out within all police forces. The next step is for the two forces, along with staff from the central SPIS team, to develop the system and make it available to the other forces in Scotland. Completion is anticipated by December 1998.