HC Deb 12 June 1992 vol 209 cc305-6W
Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for Education what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of his Department's arrangements for consulting the Data Protection Registrar during the planning stage of any initiative involving the collection, use or disclosure of personal data; and if he will make a statement.

The extent of LEAs' delegation to schools (1991–92)
(1) (2) (3)
Local education authority PSB delegated to schools Central administration as proportion of PSB
1991–92 (per cent.) (1990–91) (per cent.) 1991–92 (per cent.) (1990–91) (per cent.)
1. Stockport 88.69 (—) 3.15 (—)
2. Rochdale 88.46 (85.74) 2.37 (2.55)
3. Sunderland 88.40 (86.86) 2.15 (3.10)
4. Bolton 88.31 (89.10) 2.06 (2.02)
5. Northumberland 88.16 (86.54) 2.37 (3.10)
6. Manchester 88.03 (—) 3.54 (—)
7. Sefton 87.86 (87.44) 2.71 (4.45)
8. Berkshire 87.68 (87.68) 2.78 (2.71)
9. West Sussex 87.67 (87.49) 2.09 (1.95)
10. Suffolk 87.56 (85.66) .78 (2.75)
11. Cambridgeshire 87.45 (80.75) 2.03 (4.82)
12. Cheshire 87.35 (84.31) 1.71 (5.15)
13. Devon 87.14 (83.11) 2.53 (3.06)
14. Warwickshire 86.72 (85.24) 3.19 (3.90)
15. Bradford 86.68 (86.04) 3.55 (3.87)
16. Buckinghamshire 86.58 (84.88) 3.55 (4.58)
17. Leeds 86.26 (86.12) 4.22 (3.87)
18. Hertfordshire 86.19 (—) 3.81 (—)
19. Hampshire 86.11 (85.78) 3.16 (3.34)
20. Shropshire 86.09 (84.60) 2.00 (2.48)

Mr. Forman

The Department has in the past consulted the Data Protection Registrar on guidelines for the holding of personal data on computer systems in educational establishments and agencies, about the student loans scheme, and in relation to the Department's internal systems.

The Department's procedures are reviewed annually and I am satisfied that they are effective in safeguarding personal data and in ensuring subject access.

Officials will continue to consult the Registrar where appropriate.