HC Deb 15 October 2002 vol 390 c789W
Mr. Liddell-Grainger

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if digital photographs of children are being used to identify them in schools. [73317]

Mr. Miliband

Schools have for many years taken photographs of pupils for sale to parents, copies of which have been kept in the school. In recent years, copies of these photographs have been made available on a CD to many schools, so that a photo can be added to a pupil's electronic record.

A photograph of a pupil falls within the definition of data in section 1 of the Data Protection Act and schools should ensure that the storage and use of the photograph is compatible with the Act.