HC Deb 10 January 2002 vol 377 cc1021-2W
Brian White

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the costs for UK communication and internet service providers in storing data required under Part II of the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001. [24509]

Mr. Blunkett

The Regulatory Impact Assessment for the Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001 is published on the Home Office website. Further consideration of additional costs which may be incurred will take place during consultation with communications service providers.

Brian White

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what volume of data he expects internet service providers and communication service providers to retain under Part II of the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001. [24504]

Mr. Blunkett

The type of data to be held and the retention period will be determined in consultation with service providers and the security, intelligence and law enforcement agencies. This will in turn determine the volume of data to be retained.

Brian White

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to ensure effective cross-border co-operation on data retention periods and disclosure under the Code of Practice on the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001. [24507]

Mr. Blunkett

We have had discussions with our European and other international counterparts on communications data retention in various fora including the G8, the European Union and informal bilaterals, and will continue to do so.

The Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001 does not cover disclosure of communications data, which is provided for by the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000.

Brian White

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects discussion on the Code of Practice under Part II of the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001 to be completed. [24506]

Mr. Blunkett

We aim to publish a draft communications data retention code of practice after consultation so as to allow a three-month period of public consultation before laying the code before Parliament before the summer recess.

Brian White

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if data stored outside the UK, by UK companies, will be covered by the Code of Practice on the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001. [24505]

Mr. Blunkett

The communications data retention provisions in the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001 apply to communications providers providing a telecommunications service in the United Kingdom wherever the data are retained. The full practical considerations will be examined during the consultation on the code of practice and agreements, in partnership with the industry.