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Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether the recommendation of the Victims Commissioner (Sir Kenneth Bloomfield) that in dealing with victims within the social security and other systems officials should be sensitive and understanding in their approach has been implemented; and, if so, what progress there has been.[HL3493]
Lord Williams of Mostyn: The Northern Ireland Executive has taken the lead on the implementation of this recommendation, which focuses mainly on the areas of health and social security. In their draft programme for government, the devolved administration gave a commitment to put in place a cross departmental strategy to ensure the delivery of effective high quality services to victims of the Troubles. This strategy will be launced in the next few weeks.
A co-ordinated approach is vital to ensure the needs of victims are properly addressed, and the Victims Minister, Des Browne, meets regularly with the Ministers in the devolved administration. As implementation of the devolved administration's strategy proceeds, government will continue to review their approach to meeting victims' needs.
Privy Council Office: Heritage Assets
Lord Freyberg asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether it is the Privy Council Office's policy to reduce the number of heritage assets it holds, following the introduction of resource accounting and budgeting.[HL3564]
Lord Freyberg asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What is the Privy Council Office's policy towards the 132 items of "antique furniture" listed in the National Asset Register as being in "everyday use", with regard to the disposal of heritage assets following the introduction of resource accounting and budgeting.[HL3599]
Lord Williams of Mostyn: The furniture will continue in use for as long as it serves its purpose. Items that are no longer of use will be disposed of unless they are of particular historical significance. Items falling within the latter category include a roll-top desk used by Charles Fulke Greville when he was Clerk of the Council, which is on permanent display in the lobby of the Privy Council Office. The Privy Council Office is proud of its heritage and will not dispose of items that would significantly dilute its historical links.
Lord Freyberg asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What is the Privy Council Office's policy towards the "heritage antique silver" listed as being "non-operational" in the National Asset Register, with regard to the disposal of its heritage assets following the introduction of resource accounting and budgeting.[HL3600]
Lord Williams of Mostyn: It has been agreed with the National Audit Office that the silver is a donated asset which is exempt from normal capital return requirements under resource accounting and budgeting. The Privy Council Office has no plans to dispose of the silver and hopes to make arrangements to put at least some of it on display if the necessary secure facilities can be arranged.
Privacy and Data-sharing
Lord Brookman asked Her Majesty's Government:
- When the Performance and Innovation Unit will publish its report on privacy and data-sharing [HL3724]
Lord Williams of Mostyn: The Performance and Innovation Unit's report Privacy and Data-Sharing: The Way Forward for Public Services is being published today. The report is important in the continuing development of customer-focused public services and sets out a strategy for improving the use of personal data in the public sector while still safeguarding individual's pivacy, including:
- (i) Making better use of technology to deliver more secure, more joined-up services—using technology to ensure data are secure at all times and to enable more joined-up, more personalised service delivery;
- (ii) Improving data quality—ensuring that the data held for public service delivery are good quality and up to date;
- (iii) Building public trust—ensuring that clear principles govern the way that personal information is used across the public sector and that there is greater openness in the interactions between public services and their consumers; and
- (iv) Addressing legal problems—ensuring that public services are clear about how the law regulates data-sharing, together with consultation on possible options for legislative change.
Copies of the report have been placed in the Printed Paper Office and the Libraries.
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