HC Deb 15 March 1978 vol 946 cc231-2W
Mr. Adley

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, further to his reply to the hon. Member for Woking (Mr. Onslow) on 7th March, what rules apply to the transmission of files on individuals from his Department to others, including No. 10 Downing Street.

Mr. Ennals

Social security files on individuals are rarely sent to other Departments, but occasions do arise where this is necessary—for example, when the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration or the Exchequer and Audit Department calls for papers. There are general rules requiring that due respect should be paid to the confidentiality of personal information obtained for social security purposes, but these do not preclude the transmission of files or papers to other Departments in particular cases where this is judged to be in the public interest.

Mr. Adley

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he or Ministers in his Department may have access to personal files without the specific consent of the individual concerned; if any such rules apply to other Ministers, and under what circumstances.

Mr. Ennals

There are a variety of social security files and documents used in relation to the many different kinds of contact which an individual has with my Department. From time to time, it is necessary for a Minister in my Department to see one or another kind of social security file or document relating to an individual—for example, where the individual has complained to an hon. Member and the hon. Member has asked the Minister to investigate the matter; where the individual's case forms an important precedent; or where the Secretary of State has to exercise some discretion provided for by statute. It would not be appropriate to seek the individual's consent to such ministerial involvement.

It would be exceptional for the duties of other Ministers to require them to have access to social security files or documents relating to an individual, but the same considerations would apply to them as to Departments of Health and Social Security Ministers.