§ 39. Dr. Summerskillasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether, in view of the increasing computerisation of patients' medical records for research purposes, he will introduce statutory safeguards to prevent confidential information getting into non-medical hands.
§ Sir K. JosephI have no present intention to introduce such legislation. The need for any further safeguards to protect the privacy of personal information held on computers in the public sector generally is one of the matters on which 61W the Government hope to publish a White Paper later this year.
§ 59. Mr. Cordleasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will set up a committee to consider the special problems of doctors who are requested to pass on confidential information to the police or courts of law; and whether he will publish a code of practice which may assist general practitioners and police officers and which the courts may take into account in exercising their discretion.
§ Sir K. JosephNo, this is essentially a matter for the medical profession, subject only to overriding statutory requirements.