To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether (a) his Department and (b) its agencies have shared biometric data with private sector organisations. (111212)

The Home Office does not share biometric data with any private sector organisations except where such organisations are providing technology services, so that the Home Office may gather and use that data, under contract. Those contractors are required to comply with the Data Protection Act 1998, as is the Home Office, and may not use the biometric data for any purpose other than those specified under the contractual arrangements.