HC Deb 18 July 1990 vol 176 cc553-4W
Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the reason for the delay in issuing advice to school governors about their responsibilities under the Data Protection Act; whether his Department has any plans to indemnify or compensate any school governor prosecuted under the Act; and whether he will make a statement.

Mrs. Rumbold

Preparation of guidance is well under way, but proving to be more complex than expected. The Data Protection Registrar is aware of the position and will be consulted in the course of its preparation.

Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many subject access requests under the terms of the Data Protection Act his Department has received; what was his estimate of the number of requests that would be received; what consideration he is giving to the subject access fee charged by his Department as a result; and whether he will make a statement.

Mrs. Rumbold

This information is not collected by the Department. The subject access fee for external requests is £8, which is below the maximum set in central guidance. Current and previous employees are not charged.