HC Deb 02 May 1984 vol 59 cc183-4W
Mr. Chris Smith

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what arrangements are made by local authorities in Wales for allowing individuals to have access to information held about them by housing departments which may affect their entitlement to housing; what guidance he has issued to them on this matter; whether he proposes to take any steps to encourage them to allow greater access to information held on automated and non-automated records; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. Wyn Roberts

Under the tenants' charter provisions of the Housing Act 1980, housing authorities of secure tenants are required to allow applicants for housing accommodation to check, without charge and at reasonable times, that the information that they have given to the authority about themselves and their family is correctly recorded. It is for authorities to make their own arrangements to provide this information.

During the passage of the Housing and Building Control Bill the Government said that they supported the principle of secure tenants having greater access to information and would be consulting the relevant interests.

The Data Protection Bill will create a general entitlement to access by individuals to automated personal records held on them.

Mr. Chris Smith

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what arrangements are made by local authorities in Wales to allow individuals to have access to social services records about themselves; what guidance he has issued to them on this matter; whether he proposes to take any steps to encourage them to allow greater access to information held on automated and non-automated records; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. Wyn Roberts

Local arrangements vary, but in a circular sent to local authorities in December last year our Department indicated that, subject to certain necessary safeguards, clients of social service departments requesting access to records about themselves should be given it. The Data Protection Bill will create a general entitlement to access by individuals to automated personal records held on them when it comes into operation; but this right is to be subject to modification by order of the Secretary of State in cases where its application could prejudice the carrying out of social work.

Mr. Chris Smith

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what arrangements are made by institutions of higher education in Wales for allowing students to have access to their own examination results and to other academic or personal assessments about themselves; what guidance he has issued to them on this matter; whether he proposes to take any steps to encourage them to allow greater access to information held on automated and non-automated records; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. John Stradling Thomas

The arrangements made by institutions are a matter for them and will vary. My right hon. Friend has offered no guidance on this subject to date and has no plans to do so.

The Data Protection Bill will create a general entitlement to access by individuals to automated personal records held on them when it comes into operation.

Mr. Chris Smith

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what arrangements are made for those receiving grants for further education in Wales to obtain a breakdown of the provisions made for various purposes in their grants; what guidance he has issued on the matter; whether he proposes to take any steps to allow greater access to such information held on automated and non-automated records; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. John Stradling Thomas

Mandatory awards made under the provisions of the Education Mandatory Awards Regulations are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science. Discretionary awards made under section 2 of the Education Act 1962 are the responsibility of local authorities. My right hon. Friend has not issued guidance on the way in which students should be informed about any such award they may receive and has no plans to do so.

The Data Protection Bill will create a general entitlement to access by individuals to automated personal records held on them when it comes into operation.