§ Mr. Michael Marshallasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what preparations have been made to date, and what actions are planned in the next six months, to facilitate the integration of his Department's data systems and databases into a wider network of the type envisaged by the Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency's Government data network service requirement.
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§ Mr. PortilloThe Department has no current plans to integrate its systems and databases into a wider network. The suitability of a Government data network for internal departmental use is currently being assessed. Should this option be chosen, it is expected that the facility will be used, with appropriate safeguards to protect confidentiality, to transfer information relating to income tax deductions and taxable national insurance benefits, currently exchanged on magnetic tape, to the Board of the Inland Revenue.