Written question asked by Lord Pickles (Conservative) on Tuesday, 18 December 2007, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 7 January 2008. It was answered by Lord Wills (Labour) on Monday, 14 January 2008 on behalf of the Ministry of Justice.

Disclosure of Information: Public Sector

Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what the terms of reference are of the review into data sharing in the public sector.

Answer: I have been asked to reply.The terms of reference for the independent data sharing review being led by Richard Thomas and Doctor Mark Walport are:The review will consider whether there should be any changes to the way the Data Protection Act 1998 operates in the UK and the options for implementing any such changes. It will include recommendations on the powers and sanctions available to the regulator and courts in the legislation governing data sharing and data protection. It will also make recommendations on how data sharing policy should be developed in a way that ensures proper transparency, scrutiny and accountability. To inform its recommendations, the review panel will consult with:"(a) the devolved administrations;""(b) the European Commission;""(c) the academic and legal community and the media;""(d) representatives of the IT community and the private sector;""(e) a representative sample of Government Departments and agencies with an interest in data sharing and privacy;""(f) other parties identified by the review team."The recommendations will seek to take account of technological advances and strike a balance that ensures appropriate privacy and other safeguards for individuals and society, while enabling sharing information to protect the public, increasing transparency enhancing public service delivery as well as the need to minimise the burden on business.

Secondary information