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Departmental Data Protection

Volume 494: debated on Monday 15 June 2009

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport how many officials in (a) his Department and (b) its agencies have been (i) disciplined and (ii) dismissed for (A) breaches of data protection requirements and (B) inappropriate use of personal or sensitive data in the last 12 months. (278750)

There have been fewer than five occurrences of (i) disciplinary action or (ii) dismissal for (A) breaches of data protection requirements and (B) inappropriate use of personal or sensitive data during the last 12 months. As there have been less than five such occurrences, further information is withheld on grounds of confidentiality.

Information is a key asset to government, and its correct handling is vital to the delivery of public services and to the integrity of Her Majesty's Government. The Security Policy Framework and the Data Handling Report produced by the Cabinet Office provide a strategic framework for protecting information that government handles and put in place a set of mandatory measures which Departments must adhere to.