§ Miss Richardsonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether a record is kept by the police national computer of all requests for information from the records held on the computer; and, if so, for how long the record of such a transaction is kept;
(2) whether a record is kept on the police national computer of all requests received for information relating to the registration number of a motor vehicle; and, if so, for how long the record of such a transaction is kept.
§ Mr. BrittanA record is kept at the computer centre of each inquiry, including those relating to motor vehicles, and 561W of the terminal involved. The record is kept one month; but its retention for a longer period is being considered. Additionally, police forces are asked to keep at computer terminals a record of each inquiry and the name of the officer needing the information. It is for each chief officer of police to decide how long those records should be kept.