§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reasons persons responsible for safeguarding national security need protection from the offence identified in Clause 54(5) of the Data Protection Bill[Lords] as provided for in the provisions in Clause 27(1) of that Bill. [38190]
§ Mr. George HowarthBecause actions taken for the purpose of safeguarding national security might otherwise be treated as criminal offences.
§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in respect of Clause 28(1)(c) of the Data Protection Bill[Lords], he will list examples of impositions which are similar to a tax or duty; if the provision is intended to apply to (a) council tax and (b) parking fines; and if he will make a statement. [38189]
§ Mr. George HowarthIn the Government's view
any imposition of a similar natureis likely to include national insurance contributions and the council tax but not fines.
263W
§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in respect of the Data Protection Bill[Lords], the (a) national insurance number and (b) NHS number fall within a general identifier as defined in Schedule 1, Part II, paragraph 4; and if he will make a statement. [38191]
§ Mr. George HowarthThe scope of the general identifier category is a matter for secondary legislation.
§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in respect of the Data Protection Bill[Lords], he will make a statement concerning the restoration of the exemption in Clause 28(4). [38188]
§ Mr. George HowarthThe Government are reconsidering the extent of the need for subject information and non-disclosure exemptions; and how they might best be dealt with.