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Department for Transport Data Storage and Use

The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right to say that there have to be secure standards for relationships with third parties that use Government information. On the other hand, the standard of service that individuals want and expect from Government is such that data sharing is an inevitable part of modern life. People expect us to be able to share data appropriately while maintaining safeguards that will secure the use of their data. Of course, third parties need to follow the Data Protection Act. They also need to follow minimum security standards, as set out in the Government handbook. As a result of the audit that I am carrying out, and that the Cabinet Secretary is carrying out across Government, we will be looking at how data are used right across the Department and its agencies to make sure that the balance is appropriate.