§ Jackie BallardTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on progress being made on the establishment of the Criminal Records Bureau. [106528]
§ Mr. Charles ClarkeI refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Clwyd, West (Mr. Thomas) on 16 December 1999,Official Report, columns 271–72W. Since that time, following evaluation of the bids received from potential private sector partners, we have shortlisted three bidders who have been invited to take part in a technical design study in the spring.