To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many officials are employed by the Information Commissioner in investigating potential breaches of the Data Protection Act. (167982)

54 staff work in the ICO’s case reception and casework and advice departments. These staff make assessments of compliance under section 42 of the Act.

A further 22 staff are employed in the regulatory action division. This Department uses powers including criminal prosecution, non-criminal enforcement and audit to investigate non-compliance under the Act.