§ Mr. Michael MarshallTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what guidelines are followed within the companies registration office with regard to tradeable information and collaboration with companies in the information services industry.
§ Mr. MaudeThe guidelines within which the Companies House executive agency operates are set out in its policy and resources framework document, a copy of which is in the Library. The agency's chief executive tells me that there is close collaboration with his principal customers in the information services industry, both through the Companies House users' groups and discussions with individual companies. He would welcome an approach from my hon. Friend if he has any particular point in mind.
§ Mr. Michael MarshallTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) if there have been any changes since 1986 in the description and guidelines concerning Government-held tradeable information, published by his Department in 1986;
(2) whether a review of policy on Government-held tradeable information has been completed since 1986;
(3) which Departments in accordance with the statement of policy contained in section 5 of "Government-held Tradeable Information—An Introduction," published by the Department of Trade and Industry in 1986, created a comprehensive list and description of departmental data and information holdings with a view to investigating the scope for commercial utilisation.
§ Mr. ForthA review of the execution of the policy on Government-held tradeable information, whose description and guidelines are currently unchanged, is due to be completed by the summer. Departmental information surveys are a matter for individual Departments. Such a survey has been undertaken in my Department.