18. Supplementary memorandum
submitted by the Finance and Leasing Association
At my appearance before the Home Affairs Committee
Inquiry into Identity Cards on 10 February, I promised you additional
information with regard to police access to data held by credit
reference agencies.
Enclosed is an information sheet produced by
Experian, the credit reference agency, which advises that the
police (and HM Customs & Excise and other security forces)
have the right under the Data Protection Act 1998 to obtain personal
financial information "when sought for the apprehension or
prosecution of offenders, for the prevention or detection of crime,
or for the assessment or collection of tax and duty." When
a credit provider searches the credit reference agency database,
the consent of the individual is obtained beforehand.
The information sheet, which is up to date other
than its reference to the "Data Protection Commissioner"
(now known as the Information Commissioner), sets out the rules
governing the disclosure of such information by credit reference
agencies.
Martin Hall
Director General
February 2004
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