Credit Reference Agencies

Mr. Michael
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will launch an investigation into the use being made of credit reference agencies for purposes other than verification by a commercial organisation from which credit has been sought.

Mrs. Rumbold
No.

Mr. Michael
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make it his policy to introduce tighter controls over the access to information held by credit reference agencies.

Mrs. Rumbold
No.

Mr. Michael
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has to increase penalties (a) for misuse of credit reference agencies and (b) for release of information by such agencies other than after strict verification of the identity and purpose of any inquirer.

Mrs. Rumbold
None.