Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :

To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, when the Government plans to start the process of applying for an adequacy decision on data from the EU.

The UK has very high standards of data protection and recognises the need for, and is one of the leading drivers of, high data protection standards across the globe. As the Prime Minister said in both her Munich and Mansion House speeches, achieving a deal on data protection is one of the foundations that must underpin the UK-EU relationship.

We want to secure an agreement with the EU that provides the stability and confidence for EU and UK business and individuals to achieve our aims in maintaining and developing the UK’s strong trading and economic links with the EU. That is why we will be seeking more than just an adequacy arrangement and want to see an appropriate ongoing role for the UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office.

Following the EU’s adoption of guidelines for negotiations on our future relationship at the March European Council, we have had early discussions with the Commission on that future relationship and we look forward to making further progress on this to secure the best deal for both the UK and EU.