§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if his Department holds copies of all the certificates signed by Cabinet Ministers since 1984, under section 27 of the Data Protection Act 1984; [47377]
(2) how many certificates have been signed to date under section 27 of the Data Protection Act 1984. [47378]
§ Mr. Straw[holding answer 29 June 1998]: In 1986, the then Home Secretary made a determination in respect of all data held by the Security Service. In accordance with that determination, the Security Service has not registered under the Act.
Certificates under section 27 of the Data Protection Act relate to exemption from the provisions of Part II and sections 21 to 24 of Part IV of the Act, for the purpose of safeguarding national security.
142WI understand that no such certificate has been signed by a Home Secretary and that none are held in my Department.