§ Matthew TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what the policy of the Department is for ensuring responses to requests for information under the Data Protection Act 1998 are completed within 40 days; and what their procedure is to achieve this; [33473]
(2) what his estimate is of the average cost of processing each information request under the Data Protection Act 1998; [33442]
(3) what the longest period of time elapsed is between receiving (a) the administration fee and providing the information requested and (b) a request for information and providing the information requested, under the Data Protection Act 1998; [33452]
(4) how many responses to requests for information under the Data Protection Act 1998 have been completed (a) within 40 days,(b) between 40 and 60 days and (c) over 60 days after receiving the original letter; and how many are still outstanding [33568]
(5) what the Department's procedure is for responding to requests for information under the Data Protection Act 1998; if he will place a copy in the Library; and if he will make a statement; [33480]
(6) how many requests the Department has received under the Data Protection Act 1988 for (a) electronically held information and (b) paper documentation; [33580]
(7) what percentage of responses to requests for information under the Data Protection Act 1998 the Department has completed (a) within 40 days of receipt of the £10 fee, (b) between 40 and 60 days of and (c) over 60 days after receiving the administration fee; [33466]
(8) what administration fees are charged by the Department for information requests made under the Data Protection Act 1998; [33459]
(9) what the period of time elapsed is for the oldest outstanding request for information under the Data Protection Act 1998, since receipt of the (a) original request and (b) administration fee; [33445]
(10) how many responses to requests for information under the Data Protection Act 1998 the Department has completed (a) within 40 days, (b) between 40 and 60 days and (c) over 60 days after receiving the £10 administration fee; [33561]
1031W(11) how many responses the Department has completed to requests for information made under the Data Protection Act 1998 for (a) electronically held information and (b) paper documentation. [33573]
§ Ms BlearsThe Department's policy is to respond to requests for information under the Data Protection Act 1998 as quickly and accurately as possible, and in accordance with the data protection principles.
The Department follows a strict procedure in handling requests for information under the Data Protection Act 1998. Requests are coordinated centrally and monitored. These arrangements are designed to ensure that requests are handled sensitively, and wherever possible responses provided on time.
Requests for access to personal information under the Data Protection Act 1998 Format Time to complete/ time outstanding Electronic and paper Electronic Paper Under 40 days 40–60 days Over 60 days Total requests received 56 30 10 16 — — — Total requests completed 47 22 9 16 45 (96%) 2 (4%) 0 Total outstanding 9 8 1 0 8 — 1 The longest period of time elapsed between receiving a request for information and providing the information requested was 60 days. The period of time elapsed for the oldest outstanding request for information is 68 days (on 12 February 2002).
The Department does not currently measure the time and effort needed to respond to each information request on an individual basis. These vary considerably in relation to the nature and complexity of requests. No estimate of the average cost is available.
A copy of the Department's procedure for handling responses to information requests will be deposited in the Library.