Clause 31 - Disclosure of information
Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Bill [Lords]
Public Bill Committees, 1 July 2004, 2:30 pm
Mr Paul Goggins (Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Home Office; Wythenshawe & Sale East, Labour)
I reassure the hon. Lady that although I keep urging hon. Members not to press amendments, that does not mean that we are not listening to the points being made. I shall continue to do that.
I understand why the hon. Lady has tabled amendment No. 23: to put it beyond doubt that compliance with the victims code of practice will not put individuals in breach of the Data Protection Act 1998. However, I am concerned that making an explicit link between that Act and the disclosure of information for this purpose, however important it appears to be, is likely to lead to further confusion. It could, for example, lead other public authorities to believe that such a provision is required of them before they have to make their own disclosures, rather than
relying on compliance with the general principles of the Data Protection Act.
The amendment is unnecessary and would cast doubt on the legality of existing arrangements and data sharing in other contexts.