§ Harry CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many times the revised certificate he signed last December with respect to section 28 of the Data Protection Act 1998 has been used by the Security Service in relation to its functions; and if he will make a statement. [59261]
§ Mr. BlunkettThe revised certificate has been relied upon 45 times in relation to subject access requests to the Security Service under section 7 of the Data Protection Act 1998.
§ Harry CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many subject access requests have been received by the Security Service since the right of access afforded by the Data Protection Act 1998 came into effect; how many of these requests were from data subjects who were not employed or contracted to the service; and what requests for access have resulted in personal data being obtained by data subjects. [59263]
§ Mr. BlunkettThe Security Service has received 102 requests for subject access under section 7 of the Data Protection Act 1998 since it came into effect.
None were by individuals employed by or contracted to the Security Service.
In 14 subject access cases the Security Service has disclosed personal data.
§ Harry CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if organisations which choose to disclose personal data to the Security Service in a way which is subject to Section 28 of the Data Protection Act 1998 are given a copy of the revised certificate signed by him last December; and if he will make a statement. [59262]
1308W
§ Mr. BlunkettIf an organisation asked about the national security exemption in respect of the disclosing of personal data to the Security Service, the Service would explain the operation of section 28 of the Act which, depending on the circumstances, may include providing a copy of the revised certificate.