Written question asked by Lord Grayling (Conservative) on Thursday, 26 June 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 4 July 2003. It was answered by Stephen Ladyman (Labour) on Friday, 4 July 2003 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether the Government will put in place safeguards to ensure that only records, with particular reference to those held on computer, which are relevant to an investigation are inspected and that an individual's right to privacy is protected under Clause 86 of the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Bill.

Answer: Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the Government will put in place safeguards to ensure that only records, with particular reference to those held on computer, which are relevant to an investigation are inspected and that an individual's right to privacy is protected under Clause 86 of the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Bill. [122963] Dr. Ladyman: Subsection (1) of clause 86 of the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Bill (first print) establishes that the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) may access records that it considers are necessary or expedient for the purpose of its functions under chapter 5 of the Bill. It will be for CSCI to decide what information is relevant to its inspections. This will ensure that CSCI will not be able to inspect records unless it considers that they are relevant to the exercise of its functions. A body will have recourse to the courts if CSCI exercises its powers in an inappropriate way.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 122963; 408 c535-6W;408 c535W
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Access Data protection Databases Inspections Personal records Privacy Commission for Social Care Inspection
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk