§ Mr. Wellsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will set out his policy on the disclosure of information from social security records to the police; and whether any measures have been taken in respect of the requirements of the Data Protection Act 1984.
§ Mr. PortilloIt is the long-standing policy of successive Governments that information may be disclosed on request to the police in a case which involves a serious crime or a missing person under age 18. The information is given orally and in confidence and in respect of specific named individuals only. The Department will also provide information, including a written statement, to the police where they are investigating alleged offences in which the Department has an interest, for example benefit fraud.
This policy will continue under the provisions of the Data Protection Act 1984 when it comes fully into force in November 1987. In accordance with section 3(3)(d)of the Act, the police have been registered with the Data Protection Registrar as a body to whom we may wish to disclose personal data.