HL Deb 31 March 2004 vol 659 cc167-8WA
The Earl of Northesk

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they are satisfied that transfers of airline passenger data records to the United States Department of Homeland Security are fully compliant with European Union and United Kingdom data protection law; and [HL2107]

Whether there are plans to create a centralised European Union-wide database of airline passenger data records to facilitate their transfer to United States authorities; and [HL2108]

Whether there are any plans to establish a system of reciprocity whereby airline passenger data records currently being transferred to United States law enforcement authorities will be made available to their European Union counterparts. [HL2109]

Lord Filkin

In discussion with the European Commission, the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) of the United States Department of Homeland Security has drawn up undertakings about the way in which they will handle passenger name record (PNR) data that they receive from airlines operating from the European Union. On the basis of these undertakings, the European Commission propose to adopt a decision under Article 25.6 of the EC Data Protection Directive that the CBP provide adequate protection for the PNR data it receives. It is proposed that this decision should be accompanied by an international agreement between the EU and the US. Together these instruments will provide a sound legal basis for the transfer of PNR data to the CBP by airlines operating from the UK.

I understand that the European Commission is considering whether there should be a centralised system for the transfer of PNR data to the US and, should the need arise, to other countries.

There is currently no EU-wide policy on the use of PNR data within the EU. I understand that the Commission is considering the development of such a policy.