§ Mr. Freesonasked the Prime Minister when Her Majesty's Government will ratify the Council of Europe convention for the protection of individuals with regard to the automatic processing of personal data.
§ Mr. BiffenI have been asked to reply.
We expect to ratify the convention in August 1987. It will then come into force in respect of the United Kingdom on 1 December 1987, at which time all the provisions of the Data Protection Act 1984 will be fully enforceable.
§ Mr. Freesonasked the Prime Minister what steps Her Majesty's Government will take to ensure access by individuals to personal data files held by Government Departments and state agencies.
§ Mr. BiffenI have been asked to reply.
The Data Protection Act 1984 applies to all those, including Government Departments and state agencies, who control the contents and use of personal information which is processed automatically. Except where one of the limited exemptions provided in the Act applies, any person. who is the subject of information held on computer will, from November 1987, have a right to know what information about him is held and to have a copy of it. The Government have no present proposals to grant a similar general right of access to personal records held on paper files.