Science, Innovation and Technology
Debate between Lincoln Jopp and Ian Murray(1 week, 2 days ago)
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Lincoln Jopp
Does the Minister think that that will expand or detract from the commissioner’s personal responsibilities and accountabilities?
Ian Murray
I do not think that it will expand or detract from them. The role of head of the Information Commission is exactly the same as the role of Information Commissioner. Obviously, before the role was held by an individual with the Information Commission below them. The regulations are formalising that under the 2025 Act. I am happy to write to the hon. Gentleman on the terms and conditions of the Information Commissioner.
[Official Report, Sixth Delegated Legislation Committee, 4 March 2026; c. 6.]
Written correction submitted by the Minister for Digital Government and Data, the right hon. Member for Edinburgh South (Ian Murray):
Draft Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provision) Regulations 2026
Debate between Lincoln Jopp and Ian Murray(2 weeks, 2 days ago)
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Ian Murray
Let me take that away, but the answer should be yes. When a lobbying perspective has tried to influence consultations, from Governments of any colour, that has been taken into account when assessing the consultation. Let me take that away and give the hon. Member an exact answer. Even if the consultation receives a bulk of information, that is taken into account when the analysis is done.
The statutory instrument is very straightforward. It merely changes all references to the old Information Commissioner’s Office into the Information Commission to make sure that the legislation from this place and across our devolved Governments and Administrations is compliant.
Lincoln Jopp (Spelthorne) (Con)
I know that I am risking the wrath of the rest of the Committee, but, as I understand the Minister’s explanation, moving the functions from a corporation sole to a body corporate slightly dilutes the personal role of the Information Commissioner inasmuch as it spreads responsibility to a board. The last time I checked, the Information Commissioner was being paid about £200,000—that was in 2021. Will the changes put more or less responsibility on the current Information Commissioner? Will they be paid more or less?
Ian Murray
The current Information Commissioner, who becomes the head of the Information Commission, is contracted until January 2027, and the terms will not change for that contract. Through the process of public appointments, the Department will be going through the process of finding a new post-current commissioner. That will all be taken into account as part of that process. Does that answer the hon. Gentleman’s question?
Lincoln Jopp
Does the Minister think that that will expand or detract from the commissioner’s personal responsibilities and accountabilities?
Ian Murray
I do not think that it will expand or detract from them. The role of head of the Information Commission is exactly the same as the role of Information Commissioner. Obviously, before the role was held by an individual with the Information Commission below them. The regulations are formalising that under the 2025 Act. I am happy to write to the hon. Gentleman on the terms and conditions of the Information Commissioner.
Although we have strayed into other aspects of the subject, these are very straightforward regulations. I am glad that we have had that kind of scrutiny, and I commend the regulations to the Committee.
Question put and agreed to.
Oral Answers to Questions
Debate between Lincoln Jopp and Ian Murray(3 months ago)
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Lincoln Jopp
Last night in the Strangers Bar, I bumped into a very influential Labour Back Bencher who told me with great authority that digital ID simply is not going to happen. That is good news, of course, because it is going to 1.8 billion quid we have not got, and it is deeply unpopular in the country. Why does the Secretary of State not give us all an early Christmas present and simply announce that she is ditching the policy today?
Ian Murray
I can merely give the Christmas advice to the hon. Gentleman not to drink in Strangers Bar and listen to people who are in there.