HC Deb 08 February 2002 vol 379 cc1224-5W
Mr. George Howarth

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what recent representations he has received over the Data Protection Registrar's involvement in parliamentary correspondence between hon. Members and Government Departments. [33285]

Mr. Wills

I have received no such representations. However, in an adjournment debate in Westminster Hall on 31 October 2001,Official Report, 304–10WH, my hon. Friends the Members for Cunninghame, South (Mr. Donohoe) and for Coventry, South (Mr. Cunningham) raised the question of the effect of the Data Protection Act 1998 upon hon. Members' constituency work. The hon. Member for West Worcestershire (Sir Michael Spicer) also raised the matter during Business Questions on 29 November 2001, Official Report, column 1110.

Mr. George Howarth

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many hon. and right hon. Members are registered with the Data Protection Registrar. [33284]

Mr. Wills

The Data Protection Registrar became the Data Protection Commissioner when the Data Protection Act 1998 came into force in March 2000. She was renamed the Information Commissioner on 30 January 2001. The registration requirement of the Data Protection Act 1984 was replaced by a notification requirement under the 1998 Act.

The Commissioner exercises her functions independently of Government, but I understand from her that 271 Members of Parliament are currently registered in their capacities as such. This figure includes notifications made under the 1998 Act and register entries made under the now-repealed 1984 Act which are still valid.