HC Deb 24 April 1986 vol 96 c198W
Mr. Henderson

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will undertake a review of the operation of the Data Protection Act 1984 with specific reference to the consistency with which the data protection registrar applies the criteria for registration; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Waddington

No. Reponsibility for the implementation of the registration requirements of the Act lies with the registrar and, in certain respects, the Data Protection Tribunal. The registrar will be reporting to Parliament regularly on the effects of the Act and will be keeping its requirements under constant review.

Mr. Henderson

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will seek powers to direct the priorities of the data protection registrar in establishing the data protection register; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Waddington

No. The Act clearly places responsibility for these matters on the registrar.

Mr. Henderson

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what control his Department exercises over the public expressions of opinions, activities and expenditure of the data protection registrar.

Mr. Waddington

The status of the registrar and the position of his officers and servants is set out in part I of schedule 2 to the Data Protection Act 1984. Paragraph 6(2) of the schedule provides for the payment of his expenses by the Secretary of State with the approval of the Treasury and his activities are governed by various provisions of the Act. My right hon. Friend does not exercise control over public expressions of opinion by the registrar.

Mr. Henderson

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to ensure that no one other than users of computers and computer service bureaux, is required to register under the Data Protection Act 1984; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Waddington

We have no plans at present for further legislation in this field. If my hon. Friend has in mind any particular problems relating to registration under the Act, he may wish to take them up with the Data Protection Registrar.