Oral Answers to Questions

Jim McGovern Excerpts

Wednesday 14th December 2011 Commons Chamber

[Mr Letwin]

It is not in the least secret, as the hon. Gentleman mutters from a sedentary position, in the sense that it will produce a social justice strategy that he will be able to read along with the rest of the House. I think he will find that we are putting absolutely at the centre of our activities the fostering of the big society in order to help, among other things, those who are homeless. That is also one of the reasons why we recently issued our housing strategy, which does more than the hon. Gentleman and his colleagues did in many years to try to improve housing in this country.

[Jim McGovern (Dundee West) (Lab)]

4. Whether his Department has considered altering its guidance on the disposal of official Government documents.

[The Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General (Mr Francis Maude)]

No.

[Jim McGovern]

According to Cabinet Office guidance, what would be the recourse if a civil servant in the Minister’s Department breached the Data Protection Act?

[Mr Maude]

I can provide a detailed answer to the hon. Gentleman if he requires. If he is concerned about classified Government documents going amiss, I suggest he raises the matter with his right hon. Friend the shadow Health Secretary, who in 2009 had to apologise for leaving a briefcase full of classified Government documents on a train.