§ Mr. ToddTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what steps he is taking to ensure local authorities are fully acquainted with his Department's guidance, Public Sector Data Sharing: Guidance on the Law; and if he will make a statement. [155228]
§ Mr. LeslieThe legal guidance, Public Sector Data sharing: Guidance on the Law was published in November 2003. On publication, a press notice was issued and two copies were sent to all local authority Chief Executives in England and Wales. The guidance is also available on the Department's website at http:// www.dca.gov.uk/foi/sharing/toolkit/lawguide.htm. An electronic alert containing this link has been issued to local authority legal services, clerks to police, and joint fire and transport authorities by the Local Government Association. It has also been referred to at a number of conferences for local authority staff where DCA officials have spoken on data sharing issues. The guidance was widely anticipated by local authorities and I am confident that it has been made accessible to them.