§ The Earl of Northeskasked Her Majesty's Government:
What impact on United Kingdom and European Union relations with the United States would result if European data regulators halted exports of personal data to the United States so as to comply with the Data Protection Directive (given the current dispute concerning the adequacy of the United States' data protection arrangements). [HL843]
§ Lord Simon of HighburySince the adoption of the Data Protection Directive, the European Commission has been in discussion with the authorities in the United States to determine the implications of the directive for the transfers of personal data from the EU to the US, and to find ways of resolving any difficulties which might be identified.
These discussions are being taken forward in a very positive way, with interested parties on both sides of the Atlantic recognising the importance of reaching an acceptable agreement to avoid any disruption to our trading relationship.