Answers needed over slowness of Bichard implementation - Campbell
January 18, 2006 12:00 AM
Sir Menzies Campbell MP challenged the Prime Minister on how many of Sir Michael Bichard's recommendations have been implemented
Sir Menzies Campbell MP, Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats, today at Prime Minister's Questions challenged the Prime Minister to tell the House of Commons how many of Sir Michael Bichard's recommendations following the Soham murders have so far been implemented. Sir Menzies went on to ask why the Impact computer system is reported to be three years behind schedule.
Full transcript of PMQs exchange:
Sir Menzies Campbell: "Following the tragic murders at Soham, Sir Michael Bichard in a report published over 18 months ago made 31 recommendations. Can the Prime Minister now tell us how many of these have been implemented?"
The Prime Minister: "I can't tell him precisely how many ... err ...have been implemented since Michael Bichard produced his report. But I can say this: that we will ensure there is legislation introduced implementing his report and I would just quote from what Michael himself said the other evening which is that 'The Department of Education and Science has been working hard since the enquiry in producing a single barring scheme and they've kept me in touch with what they're doing and I'm very impressed with the work they've actually done'."
Sir Menzies Campbell: "The Prime Minister will know that one of the key recommendations of the Bichard Inquiry was a police computer system designed to share intelligence about sex offenders. Can he tell us why the Impact computer system is now reported to be three years behind schedule and can he tell us when he expects it to be fully functional?"
The Prime Minister: "Um...I cant give him that reason off ... off the cuff but I will... I will write to him and tell him. I can say to him, however, that since 1997, I think this is an important point that should be made in light of all the recent and perfectly understandable controversy, since 1997 there has been a tightening and not a loosening of the system and it also worth pointing out that people have taken these types of decisions in very difficult cases going back over many many decades and so it is important of course that we introduce both the recommendations that Sir Michael Bichard has put forward and I also think my Right Hon Friend will be talking about further safeguards that we will introduce tomorrow and I very much hope they will command the support of the whole house."
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