§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his Department will continue with the second phase of the Probation Information Technology programme called Copernicus; and if he will make a statement [119333]
§ Mr. BoatengYes. Phase 2 of the Copernicus project is under way.
§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many probation properties have clear legal titles in England and Wales; [119330]
(2) what is the current value of the Probation Estate in England and Wales. [119328]
384W
§ Mr. BoatengThe current value of the probation non-hostel estate in England and Wales is estimated to be in the region of £52 million. Further work will be undertaken to verify the legal titles of all premises used by probation services in England and Wales, and until then it is not possible to quantify property holdings that do not have clear titles.
§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) who he commissioned to develop a Probation Estate Transitional Strategy; what were the principal conclusions of that strategy; and if he will make a statement; [119327]
(2) what consultations he has had with probation organisations prior to the decision to accept the recommendations in the Probation Estate Transitional Strategy; and if he will make a statement; [119297]
(3) what representations he has received concerning the Probation Estate Transitional Strategy; and if he will make a statement; [119296]
(4) if he will publish the cost/benefit analysis for the options contained in the Probation Estate Transitional Strategy; and if he will make a statement; [119295]
(5) if he will publish the business case for the Probation Estate Transitional Strategy; and if he will make a statement; [119294]
(6) if he will make a statement on the implications of the Audit Commission studies of the management of the police estate and local authority estate for the Probation Estate Transitional Strategy; and if he will make a statement. [119298]
§ Mr. BoatengThe Probation Estate Transitional Strategy was an internal document produced by officials in the Home Office. It drew on the advice provided by a consultants' report, but was not dependent upon that report. Prior to and during the formulation of the Probation Estate Transitional Strategy, Home Office officials consulted with the principal probation management organisations, Central Probation Council (CPC) and Association of Chief Officers of Probation (ACOP), who are represented through the Probation Estate Advisory Committee. Some 10 representations concerning the Probation Estate Transitional Strategy have been received, from probation committees/boards and from the probation organisations, CPC and ACOP. Forty six probation services also responded to a request for comments on the consultants' area survey reports.
A business case and cost/benefit analysis are contained in the consultant's report which will be published in due course and a copy placed in the Library.
In 1999, the Audit Commission published "Action Stations—a management handbook on improving the management of the police estate". Management of the much smaller national probation estate presents a very different set of issues, but as much of the good practice guidance has generic application to all property management, it provides a useful reference source/guide.
385W
§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what claims he expects for compensation from companies who are unsuccessful in bidding for the Case Recording and Management System for Probation Service in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement. [119301]
§ Mr. BoatengAny procurement for Information Technology for a new case recording and management system for probation services in England and Wales will be conducted in accordance with regulations and, therefore, there would be no grounds for compensation.
§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will authorise a further version of the Case Recording and Management System for the Probation Service in England and Wales to take into account the changes contained in the Criminal Justice and Court Services Bill; and if he will make a statement. [119300]
§ Mr. BoatengWork is currently under way to consider the implications of the Criminal Justice and Court Services Bill for Probation Service Information Technology systems.
§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place in the Library the assessment conducted by Amey Vecta Ltd. on the effectiveness of probation information technology in Merseyside; and if he will make a statement. [119299]
§ Mr. BoatengThis is an independent report commissioned by and prepared for Merseyside Probation Service. Publication is a matter for that Service.
§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if existing contracts to install and maintain probation information technology will be renewed; and if he will make a statement. [119430]
§ Mr. BoatengThe existing contracts for supply and maintenance run until the end of 2001. A new procurement will be undertaken for contracts thereafter.
§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to use the Private Finance Initiative in relation to the probation estate; and if he will make a statement. [119331]
§ Mr. BoatengNo decisions have been taken about the future financing of the probation estate in England and Wales as a whole and a range of options, including Private Finance Initiative (PET), will be considered in due course. Local PFI initiatives are already being considered for probation services in Mid Glamorgan and Avon and Somerset.
§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what implications the Probation Estate Transitional Strategy has for staff levels; and if he will make a statement. [119332]
§ Mr. BoatengThe matter is under consideration at present. It will, however, be a matter for the new probation boards to determine their staffing needs.
§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the management of the Probation Estate will be the subject of external tenders in line with existing procurement rules; and if he will make a statement. [119329]
386W
§ Mr. BoatengIt is proposed that management of the probation estate be carried out by a dedicated central team. However, should any external specialised property management services be procured by this management team, then these will of course follow the procurement rules then in force.