Data Protection (Processing of Sensitive Personal Data) Order 2009

I was very pleased that the noble Lord, Lord Henley, was generally supportive of the order. He asked whether Mr Sonnex would have been covered by it. The answer is "probably", but, as the Statement made clear, errors were made in his case, particularly in the risk assessment, and I do not want to add to anything that has been said about the case. The noble Lord, Lord Henley, is right to draw the conclusion that these are high-risk individuals. What do we mean by a Member of Parliament? We mean a Member of the other place only. The release would normally be to the constituency MP for the release address, but the order permits release to another MP. An example would be an MP for the victim’s constituency—the arrangements may be based, at least in part, around the victim—or maybe, in certain circumstances, an opposition spokesman. Turning to the points raised by the noble Baroness, Lady Miller, I have one figure to give a sense of scale. There were only 96 registered CPPCs last year. The higher figures that I quoted were for people managed at other levels of the MAPPA process. This critical group is not made up of 96 CPPCs who were released last year, but of 96 who were registered last year. The MP does not have any veto over the arrangements, but can make representation. He is, in a sense, directed by this process to the chief constable or the chief probation officer. There will be quite a burden on them to explain very carefully what the plans look like. What about the transition during elections? New MPs will have to sign an undertaking once elected. Notification will continue during elections. MPs have to agree to sign an undertaking to store information securely. Their staff will have to see letters to support MPs. Staff will have access; they will, presumably, be under an appropriate duty of confidentiality. Letters will be sent by post and not restricted. I beg to move. Motion agreed.