Friday, 12 April, 2002, 05:09 GMT 06:09 UK
Blair backs Whitehall 'snoop' plan


Tony Blair is backing the proposals

Tony Blair wants to give government departments the power to swap personal information about individuals, it has emerged.
The prime minister is backing a report which recommends the sharing of confidential data from medical records, tax information and benefit entitlements.

The move has raised fears about civil liberties but the government says the aim is to deliver better services.

The UK Passport Service and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) have already set up a working party to discuss merging their records so drivers would not have to send off their passports when applying for a driving licence.



Those in government should recognise that information about us, especially information we provide ourselves, belongs to us

Liberty director John Wadham

The report has been drafted by the prime minister's think tank, the Performance and Innovation Unit.

It says smart cards should be used to provide access to public services through computers and street kiosks.

But it acknowledges that the government must first win public trust.

The report's "public services trust charter" suggests data could be processed without an individual's knowledge.

It stresses, however that this should happen only "where necessary for purposes such as national security, public safety, statistical analysis, the protection of the economy, the prevention of crime and disorder, the protection of health and morals, or the protection of the rights and freedoms of others".

Critics say that covers almost any situation.

Liberty director John Wadham, who was a member of the government's advisory committee on the study, said the proposals would lead to "more peeking by officials into our private lives".

Writing in the Daily Telegraph newspaper, he added: "Those in government should recognise that information about us, especially information we provide ourselves, belongs to us."