§ The Earl of Northeskasked Her Majesty's Government:
What are the implications for current proposals for databases of the comments of the Government's Chief Information Officer and head of e-Government Unit that, in respect of information-sharing across and within branches of government: "It is technologically impossible and is not today's big worry. Plans for how we share information are in the early days." [HL4784]
§ Lord Bassam of BrightonThe head of e-Government Unit was responding to a question on the production of a single database to hold all government information about all individuals. It is true to say that current technology would be unable to manage such a comprehensive database.
Information sharing across government already takes place within the framework of applicable law. It will continue to be developed where there is benefit in doing so.