For your information. I am not sure if anyone else has seen it.
Gillian Whichelo
210/99
12 July 1999
HOME OFFICE ANNOUNCES IMPLEMENTATION
DATE FOR DATA PROTECTION ACT
Data Protection rights for individuals will be strengthened by new
legislation which will come into force on Wednesday 1 March 2000, the
Home Office announced today.
The Data Protection Act 1988 brings the requirements of the EC Data
Protection Directive into UK law. It will increase and extend
citizens' rights, including a new right to prevent data being used
for direct marketing. Data protection law is also being extended to
some manual records.
Home Office Minister George Howarth said:
"The Government are committed to a programme of wide-ranging
constitutional reform and the 1998 Data Protection Act is an
important part of that commitment.
"The Act will strengthen the protection of citizens' personal
information while recognising the legitimate need of businesses and
other organisations to process that information.
"The Act makes important changes to the existing law and business and
other organisations affected by the legislation will need time to
prepare. That is why we are setting a firm date now."
In addition, three draft statutory instruments are being placed in
the libraries of both Houses today. Six draft instruments have
already been published, and a further 10 will be published in due
course. All documents will be available on the internet.
NOTES FOR EDITORS:
1. The Data Protection Act 1998 received Royal Assent on
16 July 1998.
2. The Act gives effect to the 1995 EC Data Protection Directive
(95/46/EC) which was adopted in 1995.
3. The three draft statutory instruments published today are:
- The Data Protection (Designated codes of Practice) Order 1999
- The Data Protection (International Cooperation) Order 1999
- The Data Protection (Subject Access) (Fees and Miscellaneous
Provisions) Regulations 1999
4. The draft instruments can be read on the Home Office website at
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk
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