§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what data information systems his Department has(a) agreed and (b) been consulted about with a view to taking part in; what are the criteria for inclusion in such systems: whether they will be linked to (i) the police national computer and (ii) other computer systems; what data protection provisions apply to them; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ForthThe Employment Department group has a number of computer systems, many of which are small. The EDG's systems are registered under, and fully comply with, the Data Protection Act, which compels the recording of all sources and disclosures of data. None of them has links with the police national computer and few have links outside the EDG.
The criteria for participation in computer systems which require links with those in other organisations are legality, business need and priority. The EDG uses computer systems for financial management and payments. For example, payment reconciliation information is received by tape from HMSO, salaries are paid using links to the bankers automated clearing service and in the Employment Service there are tape links between the benefit-related payments system, and its successor employment service payments, and the Department of Social Security's national insurance recording system and giro reconciliation systems. In the Health and Safety Executive, terminal access to some of its systems is provided to other organisations, and vice versa, where there are joint responsibilities—for example, with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food for pesticide information. Statistical information is supplied to meet legislative requirements, and to external bodies. A variety of data on employment-linked issues is made available.
Significant systems on which the EDG is involved in discussions are the inter-department business register, which would hold a register of employers, and an inter-departmental alert scheme for toxic substances. The proposed Employment Service local office system is planned to have links to exchange client data with the national unemployment benefit system, which is operated by the Employment Service as the paying agent on behalf of the Department of Social Security.