To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 16 January 2006, Official Report, column 1111-12W, on DNA profiles, what progress has been made towards allowing more accurate and easier cross-referencing of the DNA Database and the Police National Computer. (110656)

In 2005, the National DNA Database (NDNAD) and the Police Information Technology Organisation (PITO) had discussions on the possibility of making a technical change to the electronic link between the Police National Computer (PNC) and the NDNAD to enable data on arrest histories to be transferred from the PNC to the NDNAD.

In early 2006, the NDNAD and PITO decided to consider other options for the provision of such data as an alternative to a change to the electronic link. Several meetings were held between the NDNAD, the Home Office and PITO in 2006 on this issue and discussions are still ongoing on the possibility of being able to provide such information from the NDNAD and PNC in the future on a quarterly basis.