§ Mr. AltonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what progress has been made in respect of data protection measures to implement European directives; what further steps are being taken by Ministers; how long it has taken to implement European directives in this field(a) on average and (b) relative to other policy areas; and how progress in this area has compared with the speed with which other directives have been implemented by the Government; [13576]
(2) what European Community directives on data protection have been made; and what is the date by which measures must be implemented by the Government. [13575]
§ Mr. SackvilleDirective 95/46/EC is the only European Community directive on personal data protection to have been adopted. We have carried out a consultation exercise and will bring forward proposals in time to meet the implementation date of 24 October 1998. The work needed to implement directives varies, and there is no sound basis for comparing progress.