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Office of the Deputy Prime Minister

Answer

Michael Fabricant: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what procedures are in place (a) to check the criminal records of civil servants in his Department and agencies responsible to his 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 he will make a statement. [194605] Phil Hope: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and its agencies do not maintain databases that contain confidential information on members of the public, and staff thus do not have access to such databases. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister does nevertheless carry out character checks prior to unconditional offers of employment being made. It is a condition of employment for staff to report if they are convicted of a criminal offence or charged with an offence relating to their official position, and failure to do so may result in disciplinary action.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

426 c257W; 194605

Session

2003-04

Subjects

Data protection Databases Criminal records Civil servants Government departments Vetting Office of the Deputy Prime Minister

Link

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