HC Deb 28 July 1977 vol 936 cc573-4W
Mr. Skeet

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether principles outlined in Table 9 of Command Paper No. 6354 entitled "Computers: Safeguards for Privacy" have been implemented in the installation, programming and operation of computer systems containing personal data in his Department: and if he will make a statement.

Dr. Summerskill

Pending the report of the Data Protection Committee, appointed in accordance with paragraph 31 of Cmnd. 6353, great care is taken to ensure that the information recorded about individuals is not misused.

Mr. Skeet

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the data hank containing personal information to which he has access is available to other Departments of State; and what restraints are imposed on circulating information outside the Civil Service.

Dr. Summerskill

I assume that the hon. Member refers to computerised information. I would draw his attention to Table 2 of Command 6354 entitled "Computers: Safeguards for Privacy" which shows the transfer of certain information between computerised data banks for which the Home Office is responsible and other Government Departments.

In addition information regarding the location of prisoners is supplied on request to a limited number of Departments and bodies. This information mainly falls into one of three categories: information to other Government Departments such as the Department of Health and Social Security and Inland Revenue to enable administrative action regarding benefits and taxation to be taken; information to police forces, courts, and probation services to enable the machinery of justice to function; information to certain employing authorities or professional bodies where positions of special trust or responsibility are involved.

The supply of information is governed by the general principle that no information is given to anyone unless there are considerations of public interest which justify departure from the general rule.

In a rather different category, information relating to civil servants employed in the Home Office is passed to the Civil Service Department for central management purposes.