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Department for Transport Data Storage and Use

The hon. Gentleman makes an interesting point. Certainly, where we can take measures to minimise the risk of data loss—such as accelerating the electronic transfer of data, or merging databases where possible, and making sure that secure couriers are used for point-to-point transfer of bulk data—we should do so. However, in the light of these events, we should also think in each and every case whether it is appropriate to send data to a third party. Processing data on behalf of a third party may be a more appropriate response to the handling of individual data.