Oral question asked in the House of Commons, by Maria Miller (Conservative). It was answered on Monday, 17 March 2008 on behalf of the Department for Children, Schools and Families.

IT Projects

Question: There is, however, a real and growing concern about IT database overload in the Department. It has three major databases of its own—ContactPoint, Connexions and the national children's database—and nine other children's databases feed into ContactPoint. May I take it from the Minister's response that there is a disagreement between the Secretary of State and the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government as a result of the recent ““Lifting the Burdens”” report, which stated that the obsession with multiple databases has diverted attention from the most important task that the Department should have, which is delivering real support for families, or has the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government got it wrong?

Answer: As usual, that is a rhetorical rather than a substantive question from the hon. Lady. The point about ContactPoint and the other databases is that they exist to promote the welfare of children and young people in this country. I remind the House that ContactPoint was developed as a result of the Lord Laming inquiry into the Victoria Climbié case. I make no apologies whatever to the House for our continuing to develop that important project, which will enable professionals working with children to identify the other professionals working with them. That is a basic requirement of safeguarding children, and I hope that all parties in the House will support it.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 473 c604-5
Session: 2007-08
Oral question type: Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Commons chamber
Subjects: Databases ICT Finance Department for Children, Schools and Families
Link: View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk