§ Q7. Mr. Kenneth Bakerasked the Prime Minister which Department will deal with the problems arising from the possible misuse of personal records stored in computers.
§ The Prime MinisterMy right hon. Friend the Home Secretary is responsible for co-ordinating Government policy on the implications for privacy in the development and use of computers.
§ Mr. BakerWill the Prime Minister ensure that Mr. Kenneth Younger's Committee, which is looking into privacy generally, looks into the possible misuse of computer information? Will the 622 Younger Committee take into account what Lord Halsbury said, that the only protection for the individual citizen was for everyone to have the right to a printout of the information stored in computers, whether they be in the private or the public sector?
§ The Prime MinisterIt is inconceivable that Mr. Younger's Committee will be able to approach its terms of reference without taking account of and going fully into the point raised by the hon. Gentleman. His Question and supplementary question will draw further attention to the desirability of this being considered.
§ Mr. Alexander W. LyonSince the Younger Committee will not be able to look into computers owned by the Government, is there not a case for saying that the Government should set an example by themselves promulgating regulations for the way in which this information is acquired and the way in which it is dispersed?
§ The Prime MinisterUnlike computers used by gentlemen who pursue debt collection and a few other activities, Government-owned computers are a matter for which Ministers are responsible to this House, which is vigilant on the kind of point raised in this Question. I have been watching this fairly closely, and I will consider the suggestion whether it will be possible to work out some code of conduct in which the Government could give a lead. However, that is no reason for not having privately-owned computers which are not subject to any democratic control studied by the Younger Committee.