New Clause 3 - Establishment of the inspectorate of data
Police and Justice Bill
1:00 pm
Hazel Blears (Minister of State (Policing, Security and Community Safety), Home Office; Salford, Labour)
When we adjourned, I was saying to the hon. Member for Hornsey and Wood Green (Lynne Featherstone) that although I could not accept the new clause because it would involve the creation of a new organisation, which would be too bureaucratic, I understood the reasoning behind it. I do not think that it is necessary to have a new body. We already have the Information Commissioner, whose role it is to protect the individual’s right to privacy by ensuring the correct processing of personal data. The Information Commissioner will ensure that the police act in accordance with their obligations under the Data Protection Act 1998. Her Majesty’s inspectorate of constabulary also has a role.