Interception Modernisation Programme

Chris Huhne
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate she has made of the cost of the interception modernisation programme.

Jacqui Smith
The objective of the Interception Modernisation Programme (IMP) is to maintain the UK’s lawful intercept and communications data capabilities in the changing communications environment. It is a cross-government programme, led by the Home Office, to ensure that our capability to lawfully intercept and exploit data when fighting crime and terrorism is not lost. It was established in response to the Prime Minister’s National Security remit in 2006.

Given the commercial and national security sensitivities, the precise costs of the programme cannot be disclosed. Further detail on budgetary estimates for the IMP will however become available once the public consultation process, which I announced on 15 October, commences in the new year.