To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what guidance her Department has produced on the requirements councillors have to register under the Data Protection Act 1998 when acting in their capacity as a representative of the residents of their ward. (143466)

The Department has issued no guidance of the sort described. The Information Commissioner has issued a guidance note aimed at elected and prospective members of local authorities, about how the Act applies to them.

The note is available on the Commissioner’s website at:

http://www.ico.gov.uk/upload/documents/library/data_protection/practical_application/advice_elected_and_prospective_members_local_authorities.pdf.pdf