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Dept for Work and Pensions

Answer

Mr. Heald:: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on his policy on restricting access by staff to personal information held by his Department and its agencies in cases where victims of violence have changed their names and addresses. [87161] Mr. McCartney: It is the policy of the Department for Work and Pensions to ensure that all personal information held by the Department is afforded protection in accordance with legislative requirements and good practice. Access by staff to any personal information is restricted to that needed for the proper conduct of the Department's business. On-line activity is subject to random management checking and full audit trails are maintained. Additional protection is provided and access further restricted for cases assessed to be at serious risk. In this case all access to a record is blocked unless specifically authorised by management and all attempts at access are monitored. The Department takes a very serious view of any unauthorised disclosures being made from its records and disciplinary action, including dismissal and prosecution, will be taken against anyone making an unauthorised disclose of customer information to a third party or casually browsing the Department's records.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

396 c604W;396 c620W; 87161

Session

2002-03

Subjects

Disclosure of information Crime Crimes of violence Personal records Protection Privacy Social security benefits Victims

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk