Written question asked by David Lidington (Conservative) on Thursday, 7 December 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 12 December 2000. It was answered by Charles Clarke (Labour) on Tuesday, 12 December 2000 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what representations he has received from the Data Protection Commissioner about the accuracy of criminal records held on the Police National Computer; what estimate he has made of the (a) number and (b) percentage of criminal records held on the Police National Computer which contain significant inaccuracies or errors.

Answer: Mr. Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what representations he has received from the Data Protection Commissioner about the accuracy of criminal records held on the Police National Computer; [142433] (2) what estimate he has made of the (a) number and (b) percentage of criminal records held on the Police National Computer which contain significant inaccuracies or errors. [142432] Mr. Charles Clarke: While there is no precise indication of the incidence of significant inaccuracies, we fully share the concerns that the Data Protection Commissioner has expressed about both delays in inputting data onto the Police National Computer, and inaccuracies on the system. We have therefore welcomed the Compliance Strategy which has been drawn up by the Association of Chief Police Officers, and which sets quantified performance indicators for police forces in terms of both timeliness and accuracy. Forces have been required to submit by February action plans for implementing the strategy.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 359 c111W;359 c109W; 142433;142432
Session: 2000-01
Subjects: Criminal records Police Standards Police national computer Data Protection Commissioner
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk