My honourable friend the Minister of State (Michael Wills) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement.

I am today publishing a consultation on the Information Commissioner’s inspection powers and on funding the Information Commissioner’s duties under the Data Protection Act 1998.

The Government want to ensure that the Information Commissioner has the powers and resources to continue to be able to carry out his duties under the Data Protection Act 1998 effectively, in a rapidly changing environment. Good regulation is essential to support a robust data protection framework. The use of information underpins the Government’s ability to deliver benefits for the citizen through improved public services, new opportunities for the most disadvantaged, protection from crime and terrorism and sustaining economic well being.

Our proposals have been informed by the Data Sharing Review Report published on Friday 11 July. The Government welcome the review, which provides a comprehensive look at the use and protection of personal information in today’s society. I am grateful for the invaluable and thorough work that Richard Thomas, the Information Commissioner, and Dr Mark Walport, of the Wellcome Trust, have done in this complex area.

In October 2007, the Prime Minister invited Richard Thomas and Dr Mark Walport to undertake an independent review of the framework for the use of personal information—in both the private and public sector.

The objectives of the review were to consider whether there should be any changes to the way the Data Protection Act 1998 operates in the UK and explore options for implementing any possible changes. The review also made recommendations on the powers and sanctions available to the regulator and courts in the legislation governing data sharing and data protection, as well as how the Government should develop data sharing policy in a way that ensures proper transparency, scrutiny and accountability.

I welcome the review’s recommendations and agree that measures need to be taken to increase public trust and confidence in the handling and processing of personal data by Government and the private sector. The Government will consider how best to take forward the remaining recommendations and they will respond in detail in autumn 2008.

Copies of the consultation will be made available in the Libraries of both Houses, the Vote Office and the Printed Paper Office. It is also available on the internet at: www.justice.gov.uk/publications/cp1508.htm.