To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what exchanges of personal data have taken place between her Department and local authorities in the last 12 months; and what physical or electronic media were used in each such exchange. (174546)

Communities and Local Government holds some anonymous and aggregated personal data relating to particular policy areas which is collected by local authorities. These are used to support the monitoring implementation and success of these policies. The data consist of information about individuals' personal attributes and circumstances and reasons for service provision but the individual cannot be identified.

These data are transferred to the Department either using a secure portal or via encrypted discs which are signed for on delivery. Like other Departments, we are currently carrying out a review of arrangements in relation to the sharing and holding of personal data and these specific arrangements will be reviewed as part of that process.