Interception Modernisation Programme

[Richard Clayton]

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Hansard: 8 July 2008 : Column WA75

Home Office: Interception Modernisation Programme

The Earl of Northesk asked Her Majesty's Government:

  What are the aims of the Home Office's interception modernisation
  programme. [HL4465]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord West of
Spithead):

  The objective of the interception modernisation programme (IMP) is to
  maintain the UK's lawful intercept and communications data
  capabilities in the changing communications environment. It is a
  cross-government programme, led by the Home Office, to ensure that our
  capability to lawfully intercept and exploit data when fighting crime
  and terrorism is not lost. It was established in response to my right
  honourable friend the Prime Minister's national security remit in
  2006.

The Earl of Northesk asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Whether the current Comprehensive Spending Review allocation contains
  any financing for the Home Office's interception modernisation
  programme; and, if so, how much. [HL4466]

Lord West of Spithead:

  As part of the Government's Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR 07) a
  central bid was made to HM Treasury on behalf of the security and
  intelligence agencies. Funding for IMP was included in the bid, and
  the exact programme allocation across the CSR years is currently being
  finalised between the Home Office and HM Treasury.

The Earl of Northesk asked Her Majesty's Government:

  What are the Home Office's current budgetary estimates for
  demonstrating the feasibility of the interception modernisation
  programme. [HL4467]

Lord West of Spithead:

  A significant proportion of the programme investment over the CSR
  period will be used to test feasibility and reduce the risk associated
  with implementing the proposed IMP solution. The private sector is
  likely to play a major role in this work and the programme will be
  conducting a competitive tender and entering commercial negotiations
  to commission its services.

  The tendering processes are not yet complete and therefore the budget
  for the feasibility and de-risking activities is not finalised. For
  this reason, a precise figure cannot be given at this time.

The Earl of Northesk asked Her Majesty's Government:

  What are the Home Office's current budgetary estimates for the
  interception modernisation programme. [HL4468]

Lord West of Spithead:

  The interception modernisation programme (IMP) will require a
  substantial level of investment which will need to tie in with the
  Government's three-year CSR periods. The scale of overall economic
  investment is very difficult to calculate because of the complexity of
  the project and wide ranging implementation solutions currently being
  considered.

  Given this complexity and the commercial and national security
  sensitivities, the precise costs of the programme cannot be disclosed.
  Further detail on budgetary estimates for the IMP will, however,
  become available once the draft Communications Data Bill is published.

- -- 
richard                                              Richard Clayton

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.         Benjamin Franklin

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