§ Mr. Wigleyasked the Secretary of State for Wales why it was necessary for any of the civil servants and local government officers in Wales who have been involved in compiling the Welsh housing condition survey to be required to sign a declaration under the Official Secrets Act; and whether this has been required for each of the previous Welsh housing surveys.
§ Mr. Wyn RobertsThe signing of declarations was not required in the previous survey in 1981, but it is considered that it would be a breach of confidence if those acting on behalf of the Welsh Office in undertaking the housing condition survey disclosed personal information gained in the course of their duties. The signing of the declaration under the Official Secrets Act served as a reminder to those engaged on the survey work about the confidentiality of information acquired in official work.
§ Mr. Wigleyasked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the approximate target date for publication of the current Welsh housing condition survey; and whether the scope of the survey will report to any significant extent from the scope of previous such surveys.
§ Mr. Wyn RobertsIt is hoped that publication of the 1986 Welsh house condition survey will take place in December 1987 or January 1988.
The report of the survey will differ in extent from previous reports as results will be published at local authority district level.
§ Mr. Wigleyasked the Secretary of State for Wales how many people involved in compiling the current Welsh housing condition survey have been required to sign a declaration under the Official Secrets Act.
§ Mr. Wyn RobertsOne hundred and forty four.