§ Mr. Andrew MitchellTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services when consultation will take place on the social services regulations to be made under the Access to Personal Files Act 1987.
§ Mrs. CurrieProposals for these regulations for England and Wales were issued today and a copy of them has been placed in the Library. The proposals have been issued to a wide range of interested bodies including associations of local authorities. Comments are requested by 15 May 1988. The proposals are in line with access to this type of record falling under the data protection legislation and include the safeguard that information may be withheld if access is likely to result in serious harm to the physical or mental health or emotional condition of the individual requesting access or to another person. Authorities would be able to charge a fee of up to £10.