Letter: In Brief

Sir: When personal computers were becoming widespread, Parliament discussed the Data Protection Bill and we were given a solemn assurance that no data would be accessed by any government agency other than that which had collected them. Now I read that data transfer between government agencies is to be so widespread that it is hailed as an advantage to be able to notify one agency of a change of address and for it to be relayed to all others ("We're on line to call government direct", 7 April). I thought promises made by ministers in Parliament were binding.

PETER TALLENTIRE

Liverpool