To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security on what occasions for each certificate under section 27 of the Data Protection Act 1984 was signed by a member of his Department what was the length of time for which the certificate was valid; and in what circumstances benefit records can be used for the purpose of safeguarding national security. [5304]

No such certificates have been issued by the Department of Social Security. It seems unlikely that benefit records would have any relevance to national security.We cannot deal in advance with the circumstances that might apply in the event of an application for a section 27 certificate being made.