To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether the e-borders programme will continue to have passenger name record data as an integrated part of that programme; (150833)

[holding answer 23 July 2007]: The collection of Advanced Passenger Information and Passenger Name Record (PNR) data is part of the e-Borders model, and the programme is committed to integrating these elements as part of the long term solution. In the short-term, the e-Borders pilot Project Semaphore is trialling the collection of PNR data from carriers from selected routes. This will enable us to build the most robust long term solution for full capture of PNR data that meets the requirements of the border agencies and is sustainable by the industry.

The e-Borders programme will appoint the successful service provider following a comprehensive and detailed evaluation of the bidders responses. Qualitative criteria, combined with an assessment of cost will determine the most economically advantageous bid from the point of view of the Home Office. The qualitative criteria include the ability to meet the authority's business, technical and implementation requirements, while also being commercially acceptable to the Home Office.

In addition the successful consortia will be required to cross a number of financial capacity and robustness thresholds to ensure that they can meet their financial obligations over the lifetime of the contract.