§ Mr. BeithTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what preparations are being made by the UK Passport Agency for the processing of criminal record checks; and if he will make a statement. [88167]
§ Mr. BoatengThe Passport Agency has set up a team in Merseyside to manage the introduction of the Criminal Records Bureau.
Detailed planning is under way with the aim of commencing operations on a phased basis.
Procurement of accommodation and Information Technology services is now under way by open competition and advertisements have been placed in the Open Journal of the European Community (OJEC).