HC Deb 19 March 1982 vol 20 cc214-5W
Mr. Cryer

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in what circumstances confidential personal information held by his Department is supplied to other Departments of State.

Mr. John Patten

[pursuant to his reply, 16 March 1982, c. 66]: There are a number of circumstances in which confidential personal information may be exchanged between the Northern Ireland Office and Northern Ireland Departments or supplied to other Departments in Great Britain. These include, for example, the transfer of mental patients between hospitals in Northern Ireland and Great Britain; the processing of claims for compensation under the criminal injuries and criminal damage legislation; the collection of national insurance contributions; the appointment of civil servants recruited by the Civil Service Commissioners for Northern Ireland; and the transfer of payments in respect of pensionable service under the Northern Ireland teachers' superannuation scheme.