To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what steps she is taking to ensure that the Data Protection Act 1998 is complied with in respect of the dissemination of electronic mail addresses collected as a result of public consultations under the auspices of the Cabinet Office; and if she will make a statement. (122544)

The Cabinet Office provides comprehensive guidance to staff in relation to compliance with the Data Protection Act (DPA). This emphasises that personal data must be processed in accordance with the data protection principles. Relating specifically to public consultations, under criterion 4 of the Code of Practice on Consultation (a copy of which is available in the Library for the reference of Members), all Government Departments are required to explain in their consultation documents that information provided in responses will be dealt with in accordance with the access to information regimes. The guidance accompanying the code offers text with which to give this assurance.