§ Harry CohenTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the savings to public funds arising from(a) the implementation of the population register database by the Registrar General, (b) the proposed introduction of an identity card by the Home Office and (c) the data-sharing proposals of the Department for Constitutional Affairs. [185954]
§ Ruth KellyThe potential cost savings from the Citizen Information Project are being developed. No decision has yet been taken as to whether or not the population register should proceed to implementation but we could expect benefits to arise both in the form of efficiency savings and in improved public services.
There have been discussions between the Treasury and the Home Office on the implications of Identity Cards dating back to before the publication of the consultation paper on entitlement cards and identity fraud. However, the introduction of Identity Cards is a long-term undertaking, and discussions will continue. HM Treasury will continue to be involved with ongoing analysis.
The DCA Legal Guidance on Public Sector Data Sharing sets out the legal and regulatory framework governing data sharing. The Government are not able to estimate savings to public funds that may result from the better understanding of this framework which has followed the publication of the Guidance.