Memorandum from the Home Office (TS 60)
Further to your "Travelling without Fear"
committee session of 6 December 2006 and the evidence given by
the Secretary of State for Transport in respect of Questions 581
and 584, I am writing to provide further information on behalf
of the Home Secretary.
The Home Office has good working links with
the United States Department of Homeland Security and Domestic
Nuclear Detection Office. Both departments are working closely
with the Home Office to develop a portfolio of joint research
and development projects, and to identify suitable areas for information
exchange.
The Home Office is aware of the US contract
award for Human Portable Radiation Detection Systems (HPRDS),
but there are currently no plans to develop detection capability
in the UK other than that provided by Programme Cyclamen, which
is developed and operated (by HMRC) on a risk and intelligence-led
basis.
The Programme forms a key element of the UK
Government's counterterrorism strategy; it provides radiation
detection equipment at UK points of entry to detect and deter
the illicit importation of radiological materials. It also includes
a mobile detection capability.
Any future radiation detection requirements
may be identified in due course through ongoing CONTEST related
work programmes and the development of the CONTEST Science and
Innovation Strategy.
In respect of information relating to Alexander
Litvinenko, the Home Office does not comment on the details of
any ongoing case.
January 2007
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