Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to the evidence of the Information Commissioner to the EU Parliament Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs on 23 May, whether her Department has had recent discussions with the European Commission on the potential impact of the Data Protection and Information (no. 2) Bill on data adequacy.

We maintain an ongoing dialogue with the European Commission and have a positive, constructive relationship. We are engaging with the European Commission on our proposals in the Data Protection and Digital Information (no.2) Bill.

As we have set out in our National Data Strategy, we are committed to championing the international flow of data. As part of this, we will continue to engage with the EU, both at official and Ministerial levels, with a view to ensuring our reciprocal arrangements for free flow of personal data can remain in place on an ongoing basis.