§ Mr. Canavanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland under what circumstances the police approach the Department of Health and Social Security for access to confidential information about clients; and whether parliamentary approval has ever been sought for this practice.
§ Mr. RifkindIn general, the police may seek the assistance of any agency, whether public or private, in connection with the investigation of crime or the tracing of missing persons. Provision of assistance is, of course, at the discretion of the agency, having regard to the circumstances of any particular case. My Department has issued no guidance to the police in Scotland in relation to approaches to the Department of Health and Social Security and it would primarily be for chief constables to decide when such an approach was likely to assist an investigation.