HC Deb 17 February 2000 vol 344 cc620-1W
Mr. Miller

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) for which National Strategy for Police Information Systems applications contracts have been awarded; who will supply them; what are the projected delivery completion dates; and what are the expected benefits; [110307]

(2) which National Strategy for Police Information Systems applications have been designed to address cross-border crime between police authority areas; [110309]

(3) for which National Strategy for Police Information Systems applications contracts have not been awarded. [110308]

Mr. Charles Clarke

The Chief Executive of the Police Information Technology Organisation (PITO) informs me that all of the National Strategy for Police Information Systems (NSPIS) applications contracts have been awarded.

The NSPIS applications are linked Information Technology systems enabling sharing of information within individual forces and with other police forces. The applications are also linked to the Police National Computer (PNC).

The table, provided by PITO, details the contract status, supplier, expected delivery date and benefits for the individual NSPIS applications.

Mr. Straw

My department aims to purchase only sustainably produced timber and timber products. The Department's current Greening Operations policy (in place since June 1998) contains a specific aim in respect of as possible, wood products purchased by the Home Office should come from forests and plantations that have been independently verified as being well managed. We are continuing to develop and promulgate our Green Procurement policy and emphasise our commitment to considering the environment when making purchases. Our Environmental Action Plan in respect of paper focuses on reducing its overall use and on increasing the percentage of recycled paper used.

Mr. Reed

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will ensure that paper and timber products purchased by his Department are independently certified by the Forest Stewardship Council as coming from a sustainable source. [110166]

Mr. Straw

In keeping with my Department's policy to minimise any adverse environmental impact of its activities, the Home Office welcomes the availability of independent certification schemes such as that of the Forest Stewardship Council.

Our Greening Operations Policy (agreed in June 1998) encourages the use of ecolabels in procurement and asks purchasers to check environmental claims as thoroughly as possible, particularly with a view to verifying any vague environmental statements.

Nevertheless, it would be impractical for us to commit to ensuring that all paper and timber products that we purchase have the Forest Stewardship Council certificate. Our understanding is that the scheme does not yet cover the broad range of products that we are likely to require. Also, we would not want to find ourselves in breach of public procurement rules by being seen to favour the Forest Stewardship Council's scheme over and above any other equally valid certification scheme.