§ 3.8 p.m.
§ The Earl of MANSFIELDMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
The Question was as follows:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what proposals they have to safeguard the interests and privacy of the individual in relation to automatic or computerised data processing.
§ Lord WELLS-PESTELLMy Lords, the Government's proposals will be announced in the forthcoming White Paper on computers and privacy. As my noble friend informed your Lordships on 15th April, work is proceeding urgently on the preparation of this Paper, and it will be published as soon as possible.
§ The Earl of MANSFIELDMy Lords, does the noble Lord appreciate that my Question goes rather wider than that of the noble and learned Lord, Lord Gardiner, last week, in that the noble and learned Lord referred only to what I might describe as the public sector? Secondly, are the Government aware that the speed of technological advance in this field—especially having regard to the multinational companies and their sphere of influence in Europe—is accelerating all the time? Thirdly, are the Government aware that the European Commission have begun a very considerable effort in this field and, assuming that we remain in the Community after June, will the noble Lord undertake to co-operate with the Commission so that any legislation which we may produce will keep the multinational companies and their interests within what might be called a framework of harmonisation?
§ Lord WELLS-PESTELLMy Lords, the reply which I gave to the noble and learned Lord and to the House had a direct bearing upon the Question of the noble Earl, Lord Mansfield. My under-standing of the situation is that the White Paper will cover both public and private sectors, and I can say at this stage only that I think the House must await the White Paper. I will take note of what the noble Earl has said with regard to the European Economic Community and I will call the attention of my right honourable friend to his remarks.