§ Mr. Cohenasked the Solicitor-General for Scotland what arrangements operate for the logging of those who have access to (a) computer and (b) manual files kept on individuals by the Lord Advocate's Department; and if he will describe the procedures in operation for both categories.
The Solicitor-General for Scotland
a. Computer Files
Specific guidelines on security of automatically processed data in Government Departments are Observed. They are contained in "Protection of Information in Computer Systems" and "Central Government Code of Practice No. 21", issued by the Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency, which give recommended procedures to safeguard data in computer installations. Copies of these guidelines have been placed in the House library.
b. Manual Files
Manual files on individual members of staff are open only to the personnel officers responsible for those staff and to other officers with a "specific need to know". Access to information on manual files kept on other individuals is confined to those authorised to have it for 280W the purpose for which it is supplied. All officers are subject to the Official Secrets Acts. No specific access records are kept in respect of these.