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Cabinet Office

Answer

Michael Fabricant: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what procedures are in place (a) to check the criminal records of civil servants in the Department and agencies responsible to the Department who have access to computer databases containing confidential information on the public and (b) to ensure that there can be no improper use of computer databases containing confidential information on the public; and if she will make a statement. [194608] Ruth Kelly: The Cabinet Office undertakes pre- appointment checks on all staff, which includes the completion of a character inquiry form asking individuals whether they have ever been convicted in a civil court or been the subject of a court martial. Cabinet Office employees are also subject to a criminal record check as part of the security vetting process described in the then Prime Minister's Statement of 15 December 1994, Official Report, columns 764-66W. Serving members of the Department are required to report convictions to Human Resources. This requirement is set out in the Department's code of conduct, which is available to all staff via the Department's intranet. The Department's code of conduct includes a section dealing specifically with the Department's rules on the use and misuse of information, including electronic information and communications. The Department monitors emails for inappropriate use and a reminder on this appears at each login to the Department's IT system. All new users also receive an email on this matter when their accounts are opened. Any misuse or abuse of information held within the Department (whether on computer databases or elsewhere) is subject to the Department's disciplinary procedures.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

194608; 426 c618-9W

Session

2003-04

Subjects

Data protection Databases Criminal records Civil servants Government departments Vetting Cabinet Office

Link

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