§ The Earl of Northeskasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether, in the light of the conference on the European Union Data Protection Directive held on 30 September and 1 October, they have any plans to amend the United Kingdom's data protection legislation; and, if so, in what ways. [HL5961]
§ The Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department (Baroness Scotland of Asthal):We have no plans to amend the Data Protection Act 1998 in the light of the conference. The conference was organised by the European Commission to help inform the report that it is preparing on the implementation of the EC Data Protection Directive (95/46/EC). A copy of the United Kingdom's response to the Commission's questionnaire to EU member states about the implementation of the directive is in the Library. I understand that the Commission's present objective is to produce their report by about the turn of the year. When the report is available, the Government will consider what implications it may have for the 1998 Act