§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has for direct computer access by his Department's Consular Division in London to consular records on cases abroad; and if he will make a statement. [94803]
§ Mr. HainModernisation of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's communications technology continues to evolve. At present there is direct e-mail access to almost all consular posts overseas, and delivery to the remainder is planned. There are no existing plans for direct access by the Consular Division to the consular data bases of overseas posts. The concept is under consideration, but it carries with it substantial resource and technical strategy implications.