§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what were his reasons for proposing the direct licensing of personal data contained within driver information systems, as outlined in part II of the Road Traffic (Driver Licensing and Information Systems) Bill; and how these proposals relate to the provisions of the Data Protection Act.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyThe possible licence condition at clause 10(8)(f) of the Bill would enable the Secretary of State to require an operator of a driver information system to provide him with information from the system and to authorise him to make it available to others. This provision reflects the fact that the autoguide system will generate information on the speeds and journey times of autoguide-equipped vehicles. Such information could be of value to the Department and other highway authorities in developing traffic management strategies.
It is not our intention that part II of the Bill should provide for the licensing of personal data or that it should override any part of the Data Protection Act.
If any amendments are necessary to place that beyond doubt, we shall bring them forward.