Clause 22 - Prohibition on disclosure of information
Gender Recognition Bill [Lords]
4:15 pm
Mr Tim Boswell (Daventry, Conservative)
I am grateful to the Minister for that explanation. It is useful to have confirmed the Bill's congruence with the Data Protection Act 1998, which in that respect has not given rise to material difficulties. The two examples cited by the Minister were useful. As I understand it, the provision is a generic one to enable public officials and private agencies and other bodies operating in this delicate field to do their job. It is not a matter of specific authorisation for individual acts. We are talking about the ability, at law, to be able to show after the event that they have conducted themselves within the framework of their overall statutory duties and obligations. That is not inherently unreasonable. Indeed, speaking prospectively, it bears on a new clause that we may still have an opportunity to touch on before we conclude our proceedings. In the light of those assurances, I beg to ask leave to withdraw the amendment.
Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.
Clause 22 ordered to stand part of the Bill.