HC Deb 10 June 1986 vol 99 cc135-6W
Mr. Cohen

asked the Attorney-General how many registrations his Department has made under the Data Protection Act: how many people are involved with implementing the legislation in his Department as a significant part of their job description: and how much he estimates it will cost to conform with the eight data protection principles.

The Attorney-General

My Department has applied for one data user register entry, covering registration of three separate purposes. Implementing the legislation does not, at present, form a significant part of the job description of the person in the Department primarily responsible for implementation. The cost of compliance with the data protection principles will depend on the extent to which individuals apply for subject access in accordance with principle 7, but the current estimate is that the net cost will be insignificant.

Mr. Cohen

asked the Attorney-General how many certificates he has signed under section 27 of the Data Protection Act; and if he will describe briefly the subject matter of each.

The Attorney-General

Certificates under section 27 of the Data Protection Act relate to exemption from the provisions of part II and sections 21 to 24 of part IV of the Act for the purpose of safeguarding national security. Disclosing details of such certificates would itself not be in the interests of national security.