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DocumentDate: 16 February 2007

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STARTDOCUMENT:

4 March 2009

Information Rights Team, Information Management Group

Old Admiralty Building

London

SW1A 2PA

Tel: 020 7008 0123

e-mail: [email address]

John Brown

Letter by e-mail: [FOI #8165 email]

Dear Mr Brown,

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST - REF: 0131-09

I refer to your request under the above legislation dated 16 February 2009. You requested information on:

(a) what was the rationale for the FCO agreeing to the nomination

of ACPO Criminal Records Office (ACRO) to perform the role of the

UKCA-ECR. (ACPO is a private limited company and not an official

government/public body)

(b) Were Ministers aware of and briefed on the legal status of ACPO

before agreeing to its nomination as the UKCA-ECR;

(c) Given that the Police National Computer is operated by NPIA (a

public agency), why was it resolved to use ACRO rather than NPIA to

be the UKCA-ECR;

(d) What are the estimated annual costs of the UKCA-ECR, how are

these costs covered and which Ministry/Department is responsible

for paying them;

(e) Is the provision of the UKCA-ECR service by ACRO undertaken

under a contract and if so which Ministry/Department placed the

contract.

I am writing to advise you that following a search of our paper and electronic records, the information you have requested is not held by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO).

However, you may wish to approach the Home Office for the above information. Should you wish to submit a freedom of information request to the Home Office, please e-mail them at: [email address].

While the Home Office holds the policy line on policing matters including the relationship with ACPO, in suggesting that a request be made to the Home Office, we are not guaranteeing that they will hold information relevant to your request or that information will be released as some of it may be covered by exemptions under the Freedom of Information Act.

If you have any queries about this letter, please contact me. Please remember to quote the reference number above in any future communications.

If you are unhappy with the service you have received in relation to your request and wish to make a complaint, or request a review of our decision, you should write to me at the above address. You have 40 working days to do so from the date of our response.

If you are not content with the outcome of the internal review, you may apply directly to the Information Commissioner for a decision. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at:

The Information Commissioner's Office

Wycliffe House

Water Lane

Wilmslow

Cheshire

SK9 5AF

Yours sincerely,

Tan

Tanweer Hussain

Information Rights Team

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