Government data needs attention

Service efficiency must be balanced with data safeguards, say MPs

Data watchdog wants more power in the wake of the HMRC fiasco

The government must balance moves to join up services with the risk of data privacy problems, say MPs.

The Commons justice committee report published today re-emphasises the need for wider powers for the Information Commissioner in the aftermath of the HM Revenue & Customs lost discs fiasco.

"It is clearly important for the information Commissioner to be given adequate support in order to carry out any wider role in connection with data protection which results from a change in the law," says the report.

"We note that he already considers that his resources are at a minimum."

Use of personal information is a growing feature of modern government but safeguards against abuse are insufficient, says the committee.

"There is evidence of a widespread problem within Government relating to establishing systems for data protection and operating them adequately," it says.

"It is widely accepted that it is necessary to have a substantial increase in the powers given to the Information Commissioner to enable him to review systems for data protection and their application - recent events have underlined the urgency of this."