§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the cause of the delay in providing guidance to head teachers, school governors and local authorities about the Data Protection Act; what plans he has to recompense schools for the costs of registration under the Act; whether he has estimated the costs of registration; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. EggarThe delay in providing guidance on the implications of the Data Protection Act was caused by the need to amend the draft guidance as the result of further advice from the data protection registrar. No information is available on the extent to which schools make use of computer-held personal data which would make registration necessary. Revised draft guidance on the financial and other implications of the Data Protection Act for schools will be issued shortly.