§ Mr. SoleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what safeguards, under the Data Protection Act, will exist to ensure that information will be confidential to Department of Social Security staff only when local Department of Social Security offices are computerised.
§ Mr. Peter LloydThe Department keeps the security of its computer systems under constant review to ensure that 441W the confidentiality requirements of the Data Protection Act are met. For the computer system now being introduced into local offices, we have strict measures in place to limit access to records to authorised users. It would not be prudent to publish details of those security measures.
§ Mr. SoleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what facilities are to be provided for non-English speakers and for those who are unable to communicate by telephone because of physical disability when local Department of Social Security offices are computerised.
§ Mr. Peter LloydComputerisation of the benefit system, and the relocation of work from some London offices, will not affect the way that people communicate with the Department. Interpretation facilities will be available for telephone calls routed to remote sites.
§ Mr. SoleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what safeguards will ensure an adequate service to the public should there be serious problems with the operation of new technology in local Department of Social Security offices.
§ Mr. Peter LloydImproving service to the public is a key objective in providing new technology for local offices. Safeguards have been built into the development of the computer systems to ensure that an adequate service to the public is maintained.
The computer programmes have undergone rigorous test programmes which include simulated operations in a model office followed by pilot running in 23 local offices. Resilience has been built into the system to reduce the effects of equipment breakdown and contracts have been established with suppliers to ensure rapid response should breakdowns occur.
In the event of a loss of computerisated support by natural disaster or other unavoidable incident, emergency plans are in place to maintain an adequate service to the public using clerical procedures.
Estimated number of recipients by tenure and proportion of dwellings A. Supplementary Benefit (1985 data not available) Council Tenants Private Tenants Owned Outright With Mortgage Numbers(000) Per cent. Numbers(000) Per cent. Numbers(000) Per cent. Numbers(000) Per cent. 1980 1,513 23 460 17 330 3 134 1 1981 1,764 27 535 21 348 3 196 2 1982 1,980 31 574 23 388 3 237 2 1983 1,952 32 548 22 424 3 243 2 1984 2,053 34 589 25 442 3 278 2 1986 2,206 37 625 27 437 3 357 3 1987 2,247 39 664 30 418 3 336 2
B. Income support (1988–89 only) Council tenants Private tenants Owner occupier Numbers(000) Per cent Numbers(000) Per cent Numbers(000) Per cent 1988 1,850 33 540 25 655 4
C. Housing benefit (from 1983–84 only) Council tenants Private tenants Owner occupier Numbers(000) Per cent Numbers(000) Per cent Numbers(000) Per cent 1983 3,735 61 1,015 41 2,581 20 1984 3,745 62 1,080 45 2,540 19 1985 3,710 62 1,150 49 2,403 18