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Personal Information

Volume 203: debated on Monday 10 February 1992

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To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to allow a taxpayer to consent to, or be aware of, those uses and disclosures of personal information that are not obvious at the time the taxpayer provides the information; and if he will make a statement.

None. The circumstances in which information concerning taxpayers held by the Inland Revenue or Customs and Excise may be disclosed outside those departments without the consent of the taxpayer are very limited.Under section 182 of the Finance Act 1989 it is an offence for tax officials to make disclosures other than in the course of their duties. The circumstances in which such disclosures might be authorised are limited to occasions when the confidentiality obligation is specifically overridden by statute or where a serious crime such as murder or treason is involved.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will include in the citizens charter plans to ensure that the citizen's consent is obtained prior to the use and disclosure of personal information relating to the citizen that are not obvious at the time the citizen provides the information; and if he will make a statement.