HC Deb 29 June 1998 vol 315 cc21-2W
Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what progress has been made on the Code of Practice as defined in section 122 of the Police Act 1997; [47375]

(2) what plans he had to implement the Criminal Conviction Certificate. [47376]

Mr. Michael

We have decided to implement Part V of the Police Act 1997 which provides for the establishment of a Criminal Records Agency. When established, the Agency will be responsible for the issue of Criminal Conviction Certificates and other forms of certificate provided for in the Act. Many of the practical issues were not addressed at the time of legislation, but consideration is now being given to the options for phasing in the provisions of the Act and the timetable for implementation. As part of this process, and in full consultation with interested groups, further consideration will be given to the Code of Practice intended to inform the use of information provided by the Agency.

Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many subject access requests were received by the Metropolitan Police in(a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97, (c) 1997–98 and (d) 1998 to date; and if he will make a statement; [47373]

(2) how many subject access requests involved the retrieval of personal data stored on the Police National Computer in (a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97, (c) 1997–98 and (d) 1998 to date; and if he will make a statement. [47374]

Mr. Michael

The information requested is given in the table.

1995–96 1996–97 1997–98 1998 to date
Total number of applications 35,100 54,530 71,963 13,754
Number of subject access requests received by the Metropolitan Police Service 9,461 15,036 19,962 3,923

The number of applications received which involve retrieval of personal data on the Police National Computer is not recorded.

Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reasons the Interpretation of the Second Principle of the Data Protection Bill 1998 creates a link to the notification requirements of that Bill. [47364]

Mr. George Howarth

Notification to the Data Protection Commissioner is one way in which the purposes for which personal data are obtained may be specified in accordance with the second data protection principle.

Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reasons the provision with respect to medical purposes in Schedule 3, paragraph 8 of the Data Protection Bill 1998 differs from the corresponding provision in Article 8(3) of the Directive 95/46/EC. [47363]

Mr. George Howarth

The Data Protection Bill[Lords] is intended to make clear how the general provisions in the Directive should operate in the United Kingdom. Paragraph 8 of Schedule 3 sets out the circumstances in which sensitive data may be processed for medical purposes. It is fully consistent with Articles 8.3 and 8.4 of the Directive.