Peter Aldous questions the Government about amending the Data Protection Act to ease the bureaucratic burden on policing and speed up the administration of justice.
Peter Aldous (Waveney) (Con)
T9. Has my right hon. Friend liaised with colleagues in Government with regard to amending the Data Protection Act to ease the bureaucratic burden on policing and speed up the administration of justice? (903045)
The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice (Edward Argar)
We are determined to reduce any unnecessary bureaucratic barriers that make it harder for our police, and our criminal justice system more broadly, to work as effectively as possible. Although I am not aware of any discussions about the specific issue that my hon. Friend mentions, or about the section 29 exemption for policing under the DPA, I am aware that the Police Federation is doing some work on the issue. If he is willing to write to me with more details, I am very happy to look into the matter further.