§ Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the business strategy and business model developed for the effective use of IT by the National Probation Service. [46016]
§ Beverley Hughes[holding answer 25 March 2002]:"A New Choreography: an Integrated Strategy for the National Probation Service for England and Wales", published in August 2001, sets out the vision for the National Probation Service over the next three years. The information technology strategy is to design and develop 344W a system which fully supports the business needs of the Service enabling it to meet the aims and objectives as set out in "A New Choreography".
§ Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what resources are available to implement the National Probation Service's IT strategy; and if he will make a statement. [46017]
§ Beverley Hughes[holding answer 25 March 2002]:For financial year 2002–03 a provisional budget of £34.65 million has been allocated to information technology within the Home Office National Probation Directorate. This figure is part funded by the recovery of £16 million from probation areas (question 254 refers).
For financial years 2003–04, 2004–05 and 2005–06 the total information technology requirement of £34 million, £35 million, and £36 million respectively will be found from the overall National Probation Service budget.
§ Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how recharging arrangements are being negotiated for the National Probation Service's IT desktop services. [46019]
§ Beverley Hughes[holding answer 25 March 2002]:The current contract with Integris centralises the cost of the information technology (IT) provision for the National Probation Service (NPS). Prior to 1 January 2002 the IT provision through the National Probation Service Information System Strategy (NPSISS) contract was met through a mixture of central service costs and area payments to the supplier for IT maintenance. The recharging arrangements for 2002–03 exist to realign the NPS budget to meet the costs where they now fall due.
§ Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made by the National Probation Service Directorate to direct human resources policies needed to attract, retain and develop staff to deliver IT capabilities. [46018]
§ Beverley Hughes[holding answer 25 March 2002]:The National Probation Directorate has recently administered an external recruitment scheme which selected nine new members of staff in key positions for the Information and Technology Group.
The recruitment and retention of IT staff in local probation areas is the responsibility of each individual local area.
§ Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if an outsourcing contract has been signed for the Probation Service's IT; and how the scope and costs of the technology upgrade has been determined. [46020]
§ Beverley Hughes[holding answer 25 March 2002]:On 26 October 2001, following an open competition, the Home Office signed a 2 and a half year interim contract, on behalf of the National Probation Directorate, for the support and maintenance of the Information Technology infrastructure and the case record management system (CRAMS) with Integris.
An upgrade of the infrastructure forms a vital part of this contract. This technology upgrade will include the replacement of old hardware and the revision of all software to currently maintained versions. The equipment for the technology upgrade was procured via a separate 345W competitive tender using G-CAT suppliers after an assessment had been made of market rates to ensure best value for money.