My Lords, as set out in their manifesto, the Government are committed to improving the use of data, data science and evidence in the process of government. The use of data science across government to help improve public service delivery is underpinned by strong regulatory frameworks, which can be found on GOV.UK. We have engaged with the Science and Technology Committee and the Communications and Digital Committee, and will continue to do so.

My Lords, as set out in their manifesto, the Government are committed to improving the use of data, data science and evidence in the process of government. The use of data science across government to help improve public service delivery is underpinned by strong regulatory frameworks, which can be found on GOV.UK. We have engaged with the Science and Technology Committee and the Communications and Digital Committee, and will continue to do so.

My Lords, public trust goes to the heart of the Government’s work on data science. People need to know that data is being used wholly ethically by government. They can be reassured on that score by the data ethics framework, which the public sector has to abide by, by the work of the Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation, which advises government on how innovation in AI and data science can be deployed safely and ethically and, of course, by legislation, which protects personal data and people’s privacy.

My Lords, public trust goes to the heart of the Government’s work on data science. People need to know that data is being used wholly ethically by government. They can be reassured on that score by the data ethics framework, which the public sector has to abide by, by the work of the Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation, which advises government on how innovation in AI and data science can be deployed safely and ethically and, of course, by legislation, which protects personal data and people’s privacy.

I am sure the noble Lord is aware of the Government’s policy on ID cards. We do not believe they are the answer to any of the problems that noble Lords and others have mentioned.

I am sure the noble Lord is aware of the Government’s policy on ID cards. We do not believe they are the answer to any of the problems that noble Lords and others have mentioned.

Transparency is very important to DCMS, which is leading the work on the national data strategy. Last June, it published a call for evidence. It also conducted more than 20 round tables, structured around the three themes it had identified—people, the economy and government—with around 250 organisations. That first phase focused on engaging with academics, civil society and small and medium-sized enterprises, but DCMS also intends to hold vision workshops to include the public in discussions of what the strategy should include. I do not doubt that parliamentarians will be included.

Transparency is very important to DCMS, which is leading the work on the national data strategy. Last June, it published a call for evidence. It also conducted more than 20 round tables, structured around the three themes it had identified—people, the economy and government—with around 250 organisations. That first phase focused on engaging with academics, civil society and small and medium-sized enterprises, but DCMS also intends to hold vision workshops to include the public in discussions of what the strategy should include. I do not doubt that parliamentarians will be included.

My noble friend raises some important points of principle, which I think can be addressed other than by issuing a compulsory ID card. We are working hard to ensure that data held on individuals is easily accessible by them and that, more widely, individuals can more easily navigate government websites and be assured that their personal data is not being compromised.

My noble friend raises some important points of principle, which I think can be addressed other than by issuing a compulsory ID card. We are working hard to ensure that data held on individuals is easily accessible by them and that, more widely, individuals can more easily navigate government websites and be assured that their personal data is not being compromised.

I recognise the noble Baroness’s concern on universal credit. It is slightly wide of the Question on which I have been briefed; nevertheless, her points are well made. She asks how people can trust the system. The Government take the privacy of citizens’ data extremely seriously. The Government Digital Service is proceeding with work that takes into account both the data protection regime and other guidance, such as the Government’s data ethics framework. I want to be absolutely clear that the work being undertaken by the GDS removes personal data before any analysis takes place. It is not about profiling citizens; it is about enabling citizens to have better and easier access to government online systems.

I recognise the noble Baroness’s concern on universal credit. It is slightly wide of the Question on which I have been briefed; nevertheless, her points are well made. She asks how people can trust the system. The Government take the privacy of citizens’ data extremely seriously. The Government Digital Service is proceeding with work that takes into account both the data protection regime and other guidance, such as the Government’s data ethics framework. I want to be absolutely clear that the work being undertaken by the GDS removes personal data before any analysis takes place. It is not about profiling citizens; it is about enabling citizens to have better and easier access to government online systems.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they will publish the NHS Information Strategy.[HL411]

To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they will publish the NHS Information Strategy.[HL411]

To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Howe on 8 February (WA 65–6), when the stem cell lines that correspond to those used in the clinical trial at Moorfields Eye Hospital were previously deposited in the UK Stem Cell Bank; whether the National Patient Safety...

To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Howe on 8 February (WA 65–6), when the stem cell lines that correspond to those used in the clinical trial at Moorfields Eye Hospital were previously deposited in the UK Stem Cell Bank; whether the National Patient Safety...

To ask Her Majesty’s Government further to the Written Answer by Earl Howe on 10 January 2012 (WA 22-3), what information the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency and the Gene Therapy Advisory Committee hold regarding the most recent tests for chromosomal alterations and the extent to which such data...

To ask Her Majesty’s Government further to the Written Answer by Earl Howe on 10 January 2012 (WA 22-3), what information the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency and the Gene Therapy Advisory Committee hold regarding the most recent tests for chromosomal alterations and the extent to which such data...

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Howe on 7 February (WA 12–13), what the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) is doing withinformation collected from licensed centres that it is required to hold by law but is not easily searchable; and whether the ease...

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Howe on 7 February (WA 12–13), what the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) is doing withinformation collected from licensed centres that it is required to hold by law but is not easily searchable; and whether the ease...

Lords debate on motion to call attention to the Government's policy on patient-led healthcare, the focus on clinical outcomes, and the role of health professionals. Motion withdrawn.

Lords debate on motion to call attention to the Government's policy on patient-led healthcare, the focus on clinical outcomes, and the role of health professionals. Motion withdrawn.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to review the regulations on the availability of information about new forms of emergency hormonal contraception.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to review the regulations on the availability of information about new forms of emergency hormonal contraception.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has yet to approve the revised patient information and consent forms submitted byCentre 017 between 28 September 2009 and 14 May 2010 for the research covered by HFEA licences R0145, R0152 or R0153; or, if they were...

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has yet to approve the revised patient information and consent forms submitted byCentre 017 between 28 September 2009 and 14 May 2010 for the research covered by HFEA licences R0145, R0152 or R0153; or, if they were...

To ask Her Majesty’s Government why information sheets accompanying prescribed benzodiazepines do not carry warnings of potential withdrawal syndromes associated with its use.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government why information sheets accompanying prescribed benzodiazepines do not carry warnings of potential withdrawal syndromes associated with its use.

Draft Mental Health Act 2007 (Consequential Amendments) Order 2008. Lords debate on a motion to approve. Agreed to on question.

Draft Mental Health Act 2007 (Consequential Amendments) Order 2008. Lords debate on a motion to approve. Agreed to on question.

Children Bill (HL). Lords third reading debate. Passed on question and sent to the Commons.

Children Bill (HL). Lords third reading debate. Passed on question and sent to the Commons.

Children Bill (HL). Lords second reading debate. Agreed to on question.

Children Bill (HL). Lords second reading debate. Agreed to on question.

If they will encourage development of a private sector market in information by adopting a policy, on same lines as that expressed in US Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, that they will not restrict or regulate use, resale or re-dissemination of public information by public; charge fees or royalties for...

If they will encourage development of a private sector market in information by adopting a policy, on same lines as that expressed in US Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, that they will not restrict or regulate use, resale or re-dissemination of public information by public; charge fees or royalties for...