8 Detection technologies
| (27860)
13183/06
COM(06) 474
| Green Paper on detection technologies in the work of law enforcement, customs and other security authorities
|
| Legal base | — |
| Document originated | 1 September 2006
|
| Deposited in Parliament | 4 October 2006
|
| Department | Revenue and Customs
|
| Basis of consideration | EM of 31 October 2006
|
| Previous Committee Report | None
|
| To be discussed in Council | Not known
|
| Committee's assessment | Politically important
|
| Committee's decision | Not cleared, further information requested
|
Background
8.1 In recent years the Commission has launched, in the context
of The Hague Programme: Strengthening freedom, security and
justice in the European Union[20]
and the The Hague Programme: Action Plan for 2005-09,[21]
a number of initiatives relating to combating terrorism and
organised crime.
The document
8.2 In that context the Commission now presents this Green Paper,
which is concerned with detection technologies, for example scanning
equipment, perimeter security systems or data-mining tools. The
paper tentatively categorises such technologies as:
- hand-held detectors;
- detection portals;
- surveillance solutions;
- detection of biometrics;
- data- and text-mining tools; and
- other software-based detection tools.
8.3 The Green Paper is based on the results of a
conference organised by the Commission in November 2005 under
the title Public-private security dialogue: Detection technologies
and associated technologies in the fight against terrorism.
The conference discussed:
- detection technologies and
protection of infrastructure;
- personal detection technologies and biometrics;
and
- detection of explosives and chemical biological,
radiological and nuclear substances.
It is designed to initiate discussion about the potential
for developers and manufacturers of such technologies, often in
the private sector, and users of them, often in the public sector,
to work cooperatively on issues such as research, standards and
the balance between effective protection and human rights.
8.4 Whilst recognising that much work is already
being done at European and national levels, the Green Paper asks
whether there is a greater role for the European Union in fostering
development and effective use of detection technologies, for instance
through funding of research and development or by facilitating
dialogue amongst manufacturers and users and exchanges of ideas
and information by them. The Commission asks for responses to
the Green Paper by 10 January 2007.
8.5 The introduction to the Green Paper stresses
not only the importance of detection technologies in public and
private security but the need to ensure that their use does not
infringe human rights, particularly in relation to the protection
of personal data and the right to private life. The Green Paper
has five substantive sections which pose a range of questions
to which the Commission seeks responses. The sections are about:
- standardisation and security
research — discussing the need for and how to establish
minimum standards for the very wide range of technologies and
the role of security research in developing new technological
solutions;
- technological needs and solutions — touching
particularly on contact between those who need technologies and
those who can supply them, versatile, portable and mobile solutions,
interoperability of systems and integration and improved analysis
of information from different detection technologies;
- the use and certification of equipment and tools,
including data- and text-mining tools;
- studies the Commission proposes on a number of
issues, including protection of mass events, legislation relating
to detection technology and levels of acceptance of personal detection
(including surveillance and use of biometrics); and
- implementation of the results of this consultation,
in particular enhanced dialogue between the private and public
sectors, perhaps through a formal body but not in competition
with existing groups, and possibly an action plan to set objectives
and monitor progress.
The Green Paper also has a short annex summarising
the background to some of the issues in the body of the paper.
The Government's view
8.6 The Paymaster General (Dawn Primarolo) tells
us that the Government believes detection technologies are a vital
tool in the fight against terrorism and other sorts of crime,
recognises that these technologies can be expensive to develop
and welcomes this Commission initiative to identify gaps in detection
technology and to look at ways of filling such gaps.
8.7 The Minister also says that:
- HM Revenue and Customs chairs
a Commission expert group on integrated border management, bringing
together law enforcement agencies and private industries involved
in security issues, including those industries manufacturing detection
technologies. The group is looking at ways to improve security
of the Community's external border by setting minimum standards
for control, closer working between the agencies and information
collection and exchange systems;
- the group's action plan includes activity to
identify gaps in technology, to co-ordinate research and development
bids by industry to the Commission to help fill those gaps and
to establish minimum standards for equipment. The group welcomes
the impetus the Green Paper will give to its work;
- a number of bids coordinated by the group have
been successful in obtaining Community funding and HM Revenue
and Customs is a partner in three projects; and
- it is already practice in the UK for the various
law enforcement agencies to work together and to work closely
with the private sector researchers, developers and producers
of detection technology to ensure they provide what is needed
and is fit for purpose.
8.8 The Minister says that, although the Government
will be making a response to the Green Paper, industry will be
able to respond independently. She adds that the integrated border
management group will also be responding and is organising a workshop
for law enforcement officials and industries involved in research
and development into detection technologies to discuss the Green
Paper and to allow them to influence the group's reply.
Conclusion
8.9 We recognise the potential utility of the
Commission's initiative in publishing this Green Paper. However
before considering the document further we should like in due
course to see the Government's response to the Commission's questions.
Meanwhile the document remains uncleared.
20 (25730) 10249/04 + ADDs 1 and 2; see HC 38-iv (2004-05),
para 17 (19 January 2005). Back
21
(26566) 8922/05; see HC 34-iv (2005-06), para 22 (20 July 2005). Back
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