Data Protection (Hansard, 8 May 1991)

§ Mr. Cohen
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will describe the reasons for the Government's opposition to the European Commission's proposal for a data protection directive; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Kenneth Baker
As indicated in the answer to the hon. Member for Caernarfon (Mr. Wigley) on
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The table gives figures for the number of persons first released on life licence for the years 1979–88 and how many of these were convicted of a "grave" offence since release, by the end of 1988.
22 February 1991, at column 278, the Government wish to see all Community states ratify the European convention legislation. We are not yet convinced that provisions of the draft directive which go beyond the convention are necessary or desirable

§ Mr. Cohen
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many replies to his consultation exercise in relation to the proposal European Commission for a data protection directive he has received; how many come from organisations representing data users and how many from organisations representing data subjects; and if he will make statement.

§ Mr. Kenneth Baker
I have received written comments on the draft directive from 56 organisations broadly organisations broadly representing data subjects' interests. Negotiations on the draft directive have begun in Brussels, and the Government are considering their position in the light of the comments they have received.

§ Mr. Cohen
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has any plans to propose amendments to the Data Protection Act.

§ Mr. Kenneth Baker
As indicated in my right hon. Friend's reply to the hon. Member on 18 October 1990 at column893, legislation is unlikely before the European directive has been adopted.

§ Mr. Dobson
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give separate figures for the spending by the office of the Data Protection Registrar on(a) television advertising, (b) radio advertising, (c) newspaper advertising and (d) other promotional material in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what are his latest estimates for 1990–91 and budgets for 1991–92.

§ Mr. Kenneth Baker
The Data Protection Registrar was first appointed in September 1984. I understand that no significant promotional expenditure was incurred in the financial year 1984–85. Expenditure in the years 1985–86 to 1990–91 and the estimate for 1991–92 on fees paid for promotion were as follows:
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Advertising Exhibitions

TV Radio Newspaper Other

£ £ £ £ £

1985–86 — — 319,012 — 10,538

1986–87 — — 156,912 — 22,143

1987–88 — — 364,614 — 15,157

1988–89 — — 448,603 — 11,383

1989–90 301,353 — 8,348 — 21,260

1990–91 198,380 — 2,125 2,500 21,101

1991–92 — — 50,000 2,500 25,000

§ Mr. Dobson
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has to privatise any activities of the office of the Data Protection Registrar.

§ Mr. Kenneth Baker
The Data Protection Registrar is an independent authority appointed by the Crown to enforce the Data Protection Act 1984. I have no plans for changing his status. It is for the registrar to decide how best to carry out his specific statutory functions.

	Advertising	Exhibitions
	TV	Radio	Newspaper	Other
	£	£	£	£	£
1985–86	—	—	319,012	—	10,538
1986–87	—	—	156,912	—	22,143
1987–88	—	—	364,614	—	15,157
1988–89	—	—	448,603	—	11,383
1989–90	301,353	—	8,348	—	21,260
1990–91	198,380	—	2,125	2,500	21,101
1991–92	—	—	50,000	2,500	25,000