Support Our Work Mailing list About / Contact

Personal Data

01 March 1991

Support our work: become a Friend of Statewatch from as little as £1/€1 per month.

Andrew F. Bennett MP asked the Home Secretary why the Government reserved the right to comply or not with two key principles on the collection of data (2.2 and 2.4) recommended by the EC Committee of Ministers regulating the use of personal data in the public sector. Mr. Lloyd MP Home Office Minister replied: "The Government reserved their position on principles 2.2 and 2.4 after consultation with the Association of Chief Police Officers. Principle 2.2 requires the police to inform individuals where practicable that data have been collected about them without their knowledge. It was felt that occasions would arise when although it would be practicable to disclose such information, it would be undesirable to do so; for example where an individual might inform an associate that he had been under suspicion. The proviso that information need be disclosed only when the object of the police activities was no longer likely to be prejudiced was regarded as unrealistic and impractical in the context of police work. Principle 2.4 which restricts police activities in collecting data on particular -groups such as suspected paedophiles, could seriously inhibit the police in preventing and detecting crime. The Government therefore entered reservations on both these principles. That remains the position." Hansard written answer 15.11.90. Col 721.

Our work is only possible with your support.
Become a Friend of Statewatch from as little as £1/€1 per month.

 Previous article

Black PCs

Next article 

Government Data Network (GDN) link to PNC2?

 

Spotted an error? If you've spotted a problem with this page, just click once to let us know.

Report error

Statewatch does not have a corporate view, nor does it seek to create one, the views expressed are those of the author. Statewatch is not responsible for the content of external websites and inclusion of a link does not constitute an endorsement. Registered UK charity number: 1154784. Registered UK company number: 08480724. Registered company name: The Libertarian Research & Education Trust. Registered office: MayDay Rooms, 88 Fleet Street, London EC4Y 1DH. © Statewatch ISSN 1756-851X. Personal usage as private individuals "fair dealing" is allowed. We also welcome links to material on our site. Usage by those working for organisations is allowed only if the organisation holds an appropriate licence from the relevant reprographic rights organisation (eg: Copyright Licensing Agency in the UK) with such usage being subject to the terms and conditions of that licence and to local copyright law.

About | Contact | Privacy Policy