§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has had calling for an independent data protection authority; and what is his policy towards the setting up of such an authority.
§ Mr. Whitelaw:I announced the Government's proposals for legislation on data protection in reply to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Basildon (Mr. 356W Proctor) on 19 March. I have since received a number of representations in favour of the establishment of a data protection authority. I hope shortly to be in a position to publish a White Paper setting out the Government's proposals in more detail.