Written question asked by Harry Cohen (Labour) on Wednesday, 21 January 1998, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 29 January 1998. It was answered by Nick Raynsford (Labour) on Thursday, 29 January 1998 on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions.

Dept of the Environment Transport and the Regions

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what representations he has received from local authorities about the cost of compliance with the Data Protection Act 1984.

Answer: Mr. Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received from local authorities about the cost of compliance with the Data Protection Act 1984; and if he will make a statement. [25447] Mr. Raynsford: I have received no representations. I am aware that the Home Office have prepared a Compliance Cost Assessment estimating the financial implications to local authorities, amongst others, of the Data Protection Bill currently before Parliament. This estimates that there will be recurring costs of £29 million and non-recurring costs of £104 million for local government. The Government took all pressures on councils into account in the provisional local government finance settlement for 1998-99.

Secondary information