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Digital Switchover Help Scheme: Data Protection

Volume 479: debated on Monday 21 July 2008

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what restrictions there are on the use by stakeholders involved with the delivery of the Digital Switchover Help Scheme of personal data supplied to them in connection with the scheme. (220687)

Access to data must be in accordance with The Digital Switchover (Disclosure of Information) Act 2007. Information disclosed under the Act is strictly for use in connection with ‘switchover help functions’ and there are criminal penalties for unlawful disclosure. The powers to disclose information will effectively lapse once the switchover process is completed. Before processing the information, DWP and local authorities will need to satisfy themselves that the security and IT procedures in place for handling the data are appropriate. A Memorandum of Understanding exists between DWP and the scheme administrator to ensure that the data are processed in accordance with the law, including compliance with the Data Protection Act 1998.