Is IMP being prototyped ?

[Richard Clayton]

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There was a debate in the House of Lords yesterday on "Data: Personal
Information", much of which may interest readers of this list:

<URL:http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200809/ldhansrd/text/904
02-0002.htm#09040250000602>

there was some mention of IMP, and in particular Baroness Neville-Jones
asked:

    In case the House thinks that I am engaging in a flight of fancy,
    can the Minister confirm the accuracy of reports that a prototype of
    a centralised database for communications data is under
    construction?

the minister responded:

    The noble Baroness, Lady Neville-Jones, was concerned that I answer
    in particular her question whether there is a prototype for the
    central database. There has been, we believe, widespread
    misrepresentation of our plans for future communications data
    retention. We will set out the future plans in a consultation
    document to be published shortly. Since those plans have not been
    finalised, I cannot say that there will be a prototype, as plans
    will be confirmed only after the consultation. We have not commented
    on reports of a central database for communications data and, I
    repeat, our plans will be outlined shortly in the consultation.

which doesn't seem to quite answer the question, which was perhaps
poorly posed anyway, since the "reports" mentioned are about testing of
the DPI approach, not of testing out the centralised database.  Recall
the answers to Lord Northesk's questions in July 2008:

    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.

- -- 
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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