§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when his Department first considered whether schools might have to register under the Data Protection Act; when he expects to issue guidance to school governors about the Data Protection Act; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FallonThe implications of the Data Protection Act for schools have been kept under review since the Act first came into force. The possible need for schools to register on their own account was first considered in 1989 in the light of increasing use of computer systems in schools involving personal data. Following discussion with the Data Protection Act Registrar and the local authority associations draft guidance was issued for consultation in October 1990 and guidance will be issued to schools when the consideration of comments received has been completed.