HC Deb 09 February 2004 vol 417 cc1374-5W
Michael Fabricant

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether the plans for a criminal justice skills council include computer forensic and security skills; and if he will make a statement. [152990]

Mr. Ivan Lewis

Proposals for a Justice Sector Skills Council (SSC) are due to be considered by the Sector Skills Development Agency's Licence Assessment Panel on 11 February. The proposed SSC covers:

  • Community Justice
  • Custodial Care
  • Police Forces—including Investigative Skills
  • Customs and Excise
  • Asset Recovery Agency
  • Court Service (E and W)
  • Crown Prosecution Service (E and W)
  • Crown Office and Procurator fiscal (Scotland)
  • Scottish Court Service
  • NI Court Service
  • Dept of Public Prosecutions
  • Judges and Magistrates

Computer Forensics—the use of software in the detection of crime, forms part of investigative skills covered by the Police Force area of the Justice SSC footprint. This is different from molecular or biological forensic analysis carried out in the laboratory which is covered by SEMTA, the SSC for Science, Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies.

Employers in the security sector are still considering how best they might connect to the Skills for Business network.