Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Oliver Heald and Simon Burns

Tuesday 11th February 2014 Commons Chamber

[The Solicitor-General (Oliver Heald)]

The CPS has led progress in implementing digital working with other criminal justice agencies. It is estimated that most police forces are now transferring 90% of case files electronically and that savings of £30 million a year can be achieved by 2015-16.

[Mr Burns]

Are the other parts of the criminal justice system being as proactive as the CPS in developing and increasing digital working?

[The Solicitor-General]

Yes, all parts of the criminal justice system are embracing digitalisation, with Essex and Chelmsford playing a key role. Essex police lead on the development of the Athena digital police system—the largest ever collaboration on a police IT project, taking a case from report to court—and Chelmsford is piloting court wi-fi and clickshare video.