§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Tetra communications system is to be introduced in police forces nationwide; what recent discussions he has had with the Police Federation and others concerning its safety; and if he will make a statement. [28576]
§ Mr. DenhamAirwave, the new national communications service for the police forces, is being introduced throughout England, Wales and Scotland. It is already operational in Leicestershire, Lancashire and Greater Manchester and will be ready for service in North Yorkshire, Suffolk and West Mercia by the end of February 2002. It is planned to complete the roll-out in England and Wales by 2004, and in Scotland during 2005.
In November 2001 the Home Secretary and I met with representatives of the Police Federation to discuss their concerns on health and safety aspects of the Tetra technology used by Airwave. The Home Office has provided answers to the questions raised by the Police Federation. These can be found on the website of the Police Information Technology Organisation (www.pito.org.uk).