PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Automatic Number Plate Recognition (10 September 2014)

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the Answer of 18 June 2013, Official Report, column 596W, on automatic number plate recognition, how many body-scanning machines UK Border Agency owns; and how many of these are operational.

Asked by:
Steve Barclay (Conservative)

Border Force has a total of 19 body scanners for the purposes of detecting drugs and other illegal contraband at the border; all of which are operational. The average cost of each unit is approximately £133,500 and running revenue cost is £6.50 per unit over a 24hr period.

Border Force also has 5 Passive Millimetre Wave Imaging devices which scan vehicles for the presence of clandestines, all of which are operational. The average capital cost of each unit is approximately £800,000. The maintenance cost to the Home Office over a 24 hour period is approximately £83 per unit.

The Department for Transport requires Security (Body) Scanners to be deployed at some UK airports, at their cost, as part of the outbound air passenger screening process.

Answered by:
James Brokenshire (Conservative)
13 October 2014