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Data Protection and Freedom of Information

That was not principally the Information Commissioner's responsibility. The hon. Member for Hornchurch (James Brokenshire) asked about enforcement of the new data-sharing code of practice. It will be a statutory code, subject to scrutiny by Parliament. It will be admissible in legal proceedings and taken into account by the courts and the information tribunal in determining relevant questions such as compliance with data protection principles. The last point to which I need to respond is the reason for dealing with the matter now, when it dates back to November 2007. The Government are not perfect and I am not perfect. In a more perfect world, the matter would have been tackled earlier, but I am glad that the proposal has the approbation of the three main parties if not that of the whole House. Question put and agreed to. Resolved,"That, in respect of service from 30th November 2007, the salary of the Information Commissioner shall be at a yearly rate of £140,000."