HC Deb 10 June 1996 vol 279 cc12-3W
Ms Walley

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many complaints have been received by the Data Protection Registrar relating to the Child Support Agency; [31999]

(2) what action is being taken by the Data Protection Registrar in respect of breaches of the Data Protection Act 1984 by the Child Support Agency; and if he will make a statement. [32000]

Mr. Sackville

The Data Protection Registrar has received 457 letters of complaint about the Child Support Agency since it began operation in April 1993. Three hundred and thirty-two were investigated because they raised issues relating to compliance with the Data Protection Act 1984. In cases where the registrar felt there was a possibility of the 1984 Act being breached, she negotiated with the agency, which has subsequently altered its practices regarding disclosure of information. The registrar will make a statement on the current position in her next annual report to Parliament, which is due in July.