HC Deb 31 March 1993 vol 222 cc217-8W
Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made in reaching a common position with respect to the European Commission's proposals for a data protection directive; and what level of support the United Kingdom Government have obtained from other member states with respect to (a) the inclusion of manual files, (b) data subject consent, (c) restrictions on the processing of sensitive personal data and (d) notification to the data subject of the first disclosure made by a third party.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

The council working party has not yet concluded its initial consideration of the revised text of the draft directive. The range of views expressed on each of the matters mentioned by the hon. Member is very wide, but it would not be appropriate for me to disclose the negotiating position of individual member states. The extent of agreement with the United Kingdom position varies from issue to issue. A closer alignment of views may be expected as negotiations continue.

Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has which relates to the costs already experienced by other member states who have extended data protection to(a) include manual files, (b) require data subject consent, (c) place restrictions on the processing of sensitive personal data and (d) include notification to the data subject of the first disclosure made by a third party.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

I have no such information.

Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the estimated costs of the United Kingdom satisfying the European Commission's data protection directive in relation to(a) the inclusion of manual files, (b) data subject consent, (c) restrictions on the processing of sensitive personal data and (d) notification to the data subject of the first disclosure made by a third party.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

The Home Office has asked a wide range of organisations for their views on, and estimates of the cost of complying with, the draft directive. Only a proportion have felt able to make such estimates, and there is insufficient consistency in the methods used for any composite figures to be meaningful. It is clear, nevertheless, that the cost implications for many sectors would be substantial.