§ Mr. Ashdownasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state the number of persons for whom personal data are held on the Customs and Excise departmental reference and information computer, indentifying the number of these who are (a) British nationals and (b) convicted persons.
§ Mr. Hayhoe109,700. The major part of the information about persons was converted from manual 181W records. The number of (a) British nationals and (b) convicted persons was not converted and is not available without a disproportionate use of resources.
§ Mr. Ashdownasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is satisfied with the performance and efficiency of the Customs and Excise departmental reference and information computer; and whether any plan to replace or improve this computer system are being considered.
§ Mr. HayhoeCustoms and Excise is satisfied now that initial teething troubles have been overcome and there are no plans to replace or improve the system.