§ Mr. ThurnhamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to publish the White Paper on improving the system of disclosing police criminal records. [5135]
§ Mr. MacleanWe expect to publish the White Paper within the next few months.
§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many responses he received in relation to his Green Paper, Cm. 2319; when he expects to introduce proposals to allow the wider disclosure of criminal records; and if he will make a statement. [5343]
§ Mr. MacleanSome 180 responses were received to the Green Paper "Disclosure of Criminal Records for Employment Vetting Purposes", Cm. 2319. We expect to publish a White Paper within the next few months, which will set out proposals for new arrangements.
§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what data are held by his Department in 969W respect of the number of enforced subject access requests to criminal records; what plans he has to introduce legislation to cover the practice of enforced subject access to criminal records; if he will list the risks his Department has assessed in respect of reliance on enforced subject access; what plans he has to notify foreign embassies based in the United Kingdom in respect of these risks; and if he will make a statement. [5347]
§ Mr. MacleanApplicants exercising their right under the Data Protection Act 1984 to access to criminal records are not required to give reasons. It is not therefore possible to estimate the number of requests which are "enforced", whether by employers, foreign embassies or others. The Government will he publishing a White Paper within the next few months which will propose new arrangements for access to criminal records.