§ Mr. HeddleTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will indicate the measures taken to advise the general public of their right of access for data subjects in the Data Protection Act following the introduction of the measure on 11 December 1987.
§ Mr. RentonI am informed by the Data Protection Registrar that after 11 November 1987, when the right of subject access came into force, he carried out an advertising campaign in the national press for about one month, to advise the general public of their rights. In addition 2 million advisory leaflets and posters were distributed to public libraries, citizens' advice bureaux and similar information points, and arrangements were made for the Post Office to frank approximately 90 million pieces of mail with a special mark drawing attention to the subject access right. The registrar undertook a public relations campaign involving the distribution of publicity material to regional newspapers and radio stations and he and his staff participated in more than 40 radio and 619W television appearances and numerous press interviews. Copies of the registrar's advisory leaflet, together with the guidelines on the Data Protection Act, have been deposited in the Library.
§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will hold discussions with the Data Protection Registrar to produce a code of practice covering personal data held for the purpose of national security.
§ Mr. RentonNo. Under section 27(1) of the Data Protection Act 1984 it is for the Secretary of State concerned to determine, in the light of the particular circumstances, whether personal data should be exempt from the provisions of the Act for the purpose of safeguarding national security.