HL Deb 11 April 1983 vol 441 cc87-8WA
Lord Avebury

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will list and describe the applications on the Metropolitan 'C' Division computer that do not involve national security, and if in each case they will provide:

  1. (a) A description of the personal data to be held, and a description of the purpose or purposes for which the data are to be held or used.
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  2. (b) A description of the source or sources from which information is obtained.
  3. (c) A description of any person or persons to whom data is disclosed.
  4. (d) The description of any countries or territories outside the United Kingdom to which data are transferred.
  5. (e) The name or description of the person responsible for each application on the computer.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Elton)

The computer facilities dedicated to 'C' department of the Metropolitan Police provide separate data bases which support the Fraud Squad; the Central Drugs Intelligence Unit: the Special Branch; the Special Intelligence Section which has responsibility for collating intelligence relating to organised international crime; the South East Regional Intelligence Unit; and one of the four area analytical and targeting units set up to deal with burglary and street crime. Personal data relating to persons, addresses, vehicles and other items of property are held where they are considered relevant to the prevention and detection of crime and the apprehension and prosecution of offenders. The data, which are supplied by police officers, informants and other sources, are for the use of police officers and certain civilian employees of the police and may be disclosed to other law enforcement agencies as appropriate. Information derived from data held may be disclosed to the law enforcement agencies of foreign countries but only in connection with the investigation of serious crime and with the agreement of a senior officer. Responsiblility for all the computer facilities of the Metropolitan Police rests with the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis.