Public Spaces Protection Orders
Debate between Lord Sharpe of Epsom and Baroness Wheatcroft(2 years, 1 month ago)
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Lord Sharpe of Epsom (Con)
I entirely agree with my noble friend. I would have thought that the voters would be the key factor in determining whether this is an appropriate policy. I am sure some would prefer fining for effect; some might prefer to vote otherwise.
Baroness Wheatcroft (CB)
My Lords, would the Minister accept that commission is generally paid to encourage people to sell? In the financial services sector, for instance, it has led to many instances of mis-selling. If the Minister accepts that paying commission does encourage sales—often mis-selling—does he not accept that Defra may be right in its position?
Lord Sharpe of Epsom (Con)
As I said earlier, the contracts that are awarded to these companies are governed by quite stringent guidance and rules. It is a matter for local authorities and the contracting companies.
Police National Computer
Debate between Lord Sharpe of Epsom and Baroness Wheatcroft(2 years, 2 months ago)
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Lord Sharpe of Epsom (Con)
Unfortunately, as I said, this relates to the delay in the rollout of the new system. The new system was delayed because of unforeseen complexity. I should state for the record that statistics around the police national computer are mind-boggling in their complexity: 30 million people’s information; 68 million vehicle records; 61 million driving licence holder records; 1.34 million daily transactions; 114 million checks per annum. It has to work; therefore, there was no viable alternative.
Baroness Wheatcroft (CB)
My Lords, could the Minister tell the House whether external consultants were involved in deciding that this contract should go to Fujitsu and, if so, how much were they paid for coming to the rather defeatist conclusion that there was no alternative?
Lord Sharpe of Epsom (Con)
The process was subject to all the usual Cabinet Office rules. I do not know how much external consultants were paid; I will find out.