PMQT Written Answers – 13 December 1995

Below is the text of the written answers relating to Prime Minister’s Question Time from 13th December 1995.

PRIME MINISTER:

Data Protection

Mr. Cohen: To ask the Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the compliance of the Security Service, GCHQ and the Intelligence Service with their obligations in respect of registration under the Data Protection Act 1984; if all personal data held by them are processed for the purpose of safeguarding national security; what external legal advice he has taken on whether registration of personal data is necessary; and if he will make a statement.

The Prime Minister: Under section 27 of the Data Protection Act 1984, personal data are exempt from the provisions of part II and sections 21 to 24 of the Act if the exemption is required for the purpose of safeguarding national security. Personal data are held and processed by the Security Service, GCHQ and the secret intelligence service in accordance with their respective functions set out in the Security Services Act 1989 and the Intelligence Services Act 1994. Such data are exempt from the relevant provisions of the Data Protection Act in order to safeguard national security.

Official Hospitality

Mr. Tony Banks: To ask the Prime Minister how much his Department spent on official hospitality in 1994-95 and the financial year to date; and what is the 1995-96 projected budget for official hospitality.

The Prime Minister: The figure is £36,000 in 1994-95. No projection has yet been made of the outturn for 1995-96.