HC Deb 25 July 1989 vol 157 c613W
Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will list the legislation that applies penalties for unauthorised use, collection or disclosure of personal information from Government computers.

Mr. Renton

So far as I am aware, the only legislation that applies such penalties specifically in relation to computers is the Data Protection Act 1984. Other legislation such as the Official Secrets Acts deals with particular categories of information whether or not held on computers.

Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will list the recommendations made by(a) the Younger committee into privacy and (b) the Law Commission's report into breach of confidence which Her Majesty's Government have supported; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. Renton

Many of the recommendations of the Younger committee were directed to organisations outside Government. Proposals addressed to Government were implemented by the Consumer Credit Act 1974 and the Data Protection Act 1984. In addition the Broadcasting Complaints Commission was established under the Broadcasting Act 1981; and the law on breach of confidence was referred to the Law Commission.

The Law Commission's report on breach of confidence, which is the responsibility of my noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor, amounts essentially to a recommendation for a restatement of the common law and the Government do not propose to give its implementation high priority at present.