Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to section 191(5) of the Data Protection Act 2018, which other persons may the Secretary of State “consider it appropriate to consult” before preparing the Framework for Data Processing by Government document and laying it before Parliament.

The Data Protection Act 2018 gives the Secretary of State a discretionary power to publish a Framework for Data Processing by Government, which contains guidance about the processing of personal data in connection with the exercise of government functions. The Act requires the Secretary of State to consult the Information Commissioner and other persons he considers appropriate when developing the Framework, and to lay the final version in Parliament before it comes into effect. A laying date has not been set and no decisions have been taken about the nature of any further consultation.