LETTER:Data registrar has no power to fine

From Mr Kevin Holland

Sir: David Anson (letter, 30 May) accuses Liz Parratt of Liberty of misrepresenting the Data Protection Act, and promptly does so himself. Police systems are not exempt from the subject access provisions of the 1984 Act. Instead, it provides that there is no right of access to personal data held for the prevention or detection of crime or the apprehension or prosecution of offenders, if such access would prejudice those purposes. The registrar has no power to remove this exemption, and no power to impose fines, limited or otherwise.

The Data Protection Registrar is not a he but the delightful and impressive Liz France.

Yours faithfully,

KEVIN HOLLAND

Chairman

Data Protection Committee

Advertising Association

London, SW1

30 May