§ Harry CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the notifications of the Intelligence Service and GCHQ in relation to Part III of the Data Protection Act 1998 are up to date; whether these agencies are to notify purposes associated with the processing of personal data(a) to assist the police and (b) to protect the economic well-being of the state; and if he will make a statement. [17190]
§ Mr. StrawThe notifications of the Secret Intelligence Service and GCHQ under Part III of the Data Protection Act are up to date and are available on the Data Protection Register which can be viewed on the website of the Information Commissioner www.drp.gov.uk. There is no intention to make any notification in respect of the 655W statutory functions of SIS and GCHQ as defined by the Intelligence Service Act 1994. The requirement for an exemption to safeguard national security under Section 28 of the Data Protection Act is not dependent upon the personal data being processed for a national security purpose.