§ Dr. StrangTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security under what circumstances staff at his Department's offices are permitted to include newspaper articles in clients' files.
§ Mr. BurtCurrent instructions provide that newspaper articles should be drawn to the attention of staff who have had dealings with that customer, although such articles should not be kept in customers' files. However, the Department is in the process of devolving responsibilities to its executive agencies in line with the Government's next step programmes. It will be for the chief executives of the agencies to decide whether they consider it appropriate or necessary to provide central guidance on such matters as the retention of newspaper articles in customers' files.