§ 18. Mr. Leslie Huckfieldasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research is being conducted by his Department into the compilation of dossiers of personal information to further the apprehension of criminals.
§ Mr. MaudlingThe police national computer project will provide an index to the criminal names files held at criminal record offices. Research is being 1505 undertaken to see whether the content of those files—for example, details of convictions—and other police information can usefully be put on a computer. No new personal dossiers are being compiled or are contemplated.
§ Mr. HuckfieldI am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman for giving me that detailed information. Could he tell the House whether this will be one of the matters to be considered by the inquiry which has been set up to look into the allegation of leaks of confidential information from Government Departments?
§ Mr. MaudlingYes. Once the information is on the computer it will be much easier to guarantee the security of the information.