UK: DPR welcomes clarification

The Data Protection Registrar has welcomed Government proposals to integrate the rights under the Freedom of Information proposals with the privacy requirements under the Data Protection proposals. This means that an application for personal information made under the Freedom of Information Act should, if relating to the applicant’s own information, be treated as a subject access request under the Data Protection Act. The Registrar has also welcomed the significant change to her title – the Data Protection Act 1998 will change the job title from “Registrar” to “Commissioner”. Shortly before being sacked from the Government, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Dr David Clark, welcomed the report of the Public Administration Select Committee and reiterated the Government’s intention to publish the draft Bill on Freedom of Information in September this year.