Data Protection Act 2018: Children

Lord Fowler Excerpts

Thursday 4th March 2021 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Kidron (CB) [V]]

I beg your pardon. Is it the Government’s position to adopt protections for children and then block meaningful routes of redress?

[The Lord Speaker (Lord Fowler)]

It is very important that those people asking supplementary questions keep them to a sensible time—otherwise, it simply knocks out other speakers lower down the list.

[Baroness Barran (Con)]

I reject the noble Baroness’s suggestion that the Government are blocking off meaningful means of redress. Our current data protection laws already offer strong protections to people, including children and other vulnerable groups, and we will continue to assist them in exercising their rights. Through the review, we sought, and have listened to, the views of children and their parents, and we are working with the Information Commissioner’s Office to raise awareness of the redress mechanisms available to them. Finally, civil society groups can still make complaints on behalf of children, as the noble Baroness suggests.

--- Later in debate ---

[Baroness Barran (Con)]

I apologise; I did not hear the first part of the noble Baroness’s question because it was cut off, so I will respond in writing.

[The Lord Speaker (Lord Fowler)]

My Lords, all supplementary questions have been asked, and we now move on to the third Oral Question.