HC Deb 21 January 1982 vol 16 cc401-2
7. Mr. Christopher Price

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he now intends to issue a White Paper on data protection.

Mr. Raison

We hope to be able to publish a White Paper on this subject soon.

Mr. Price

Will the right hon. Gentleman be more specific about what he means by "soon"? Will he recognise that any body, whether an ombudsman or an authority, set up to look after data protection, must be completely independent of the Home Office, itself a major holder of data? Is he aware that the Home Office must not be seen to be judge and jury in its own cause on this issue?

Mr. Raison

I am afraid that I cannot say more about how soon is "soon". I recognise the importance of the hon. Gentleman's second point. I put it to him that there are two aspects. One is who brings forward the legislation and any subsequent orders. The other is who is responsible for keeping the register that we envisage and for policing. Those may be different aspects. I am aware of the strong feeling in favour of an independent register.

Mr. Dudley Smith

Does my right hon. Friend agree that delay in this area has serious implications for British and European industrial interests and that there must be a free interchange of computer data?

Mr. Raison

I understand and agree with my hon. Friend's point. We have signed the convention. We are trying to push ahead as quickly as possible with the legislation that will enable us to ratify it.

Mr. Wigley

Will the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that any review or White Paper will take into consideration the passing by British Telecom to third parties for investigative purposes of computer information on the personal records of the use of private telephone lines? Will he liaise with the Secretary of State for Industry to confirm that section 50 of the British Telecommunications Act 1981 is an adequate safeguard in this respect?

Mr. Raison

I can give that assurance.

Mr. Allan Clark

Does my right hon. Friend agree that there must be a distinction between the monitoring and scrutiny of data collected by commercial organisations for their profit and that collected by the State in the interests of national security?

Mr. Raison

Under the Council of Europe convention, certain exceptions are permitted, and they lie in the realm of national security.