HL Deb 07 June 1994 vol 555 c74WA
Lord Hylton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether political organisations and their sup-porters are committing offences by storing names and addresses on computers without individual consent; and what steps they are taking to prevent politically motivated intimidation.

Earl Ferrers

The Data Protection Act 1984 requires computerised personal data to be collected and processed fairly and lawfully. Individual consent is not an express requirement of the Act. Subject to some exemptions, users of computerised personal data must register with the Data Protection Registrar. Failure to register or the holding or use of personal data in breach of the register entry can be a criminal offence. Any incidents which involve alleged intimidation should be reported to the police.