Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of using the Digital Information and Smart Data Bill to extend the list of cookie exemptions to include (a) advertising performance and (b) audience measurement cookies.

There is a balance to strike between driving growth and innovation whilst ensuring people retain appropriate choice and control about how their personal data captured by cookies is used. While we have not added this exemption to the face of the Data (Use and Access) Bill, we have taken power in new regulation 6A to extend or modify the list of exemptions.

We have already begun talking to industry and others about the possible use of this power and will continue to do so. This change would require careful consideration and consultation.