Data Protection and Digital Information Bill

Lord Harlech Excerpts

Committee stage
Wednesday 27th March 2024 Grand Committee

[Lord Kamall (Con)]

My Lords, I speak in favour of the clause stand part notice in my name and that of the noble Lord, Lord Clement-Jones.

[Lord Harlech (Con)]

The noble Lord missed the start of the debate.

[Lord Kamall (Con)]

I apologise and thank the noble Lord for his collegiate approach.

--- Later in debate ---

[Baroness Jones of Whitchurch (Lab)]

I am having a senior moment as well. Where are the outcomes written? What are we measuring this against? I like the idea; it sounds great—management terminology—but I presume that it is written somewhere and that we could easily add children’s rights to the outcomes as the noble Baroness suggests. Where are they listed?

[Lord Harlech (Con)]

My Lords, I think we should try to let the Minister make a little progress and see whether some of these questions are answered.

[Lord Clement-Jones (LD)]

I am sorry, but I just do not accept that intervention. This is one of the most important clauses in the whole Bill and we have to spend quite a bit of time teasing it out. The Minister has just electrified us all in what he said about the nature of this clause, what the Government are trying to achieve and how it fits within their strategy, which is even more concerning than previously. I am very sorry, but I really do not believe that this is the right point for the Whip to intervene. I have been in this House for 25 years and have never seen an intervention of that kind.

--- Later in debate ---

[Viscount Camrose (Con)]

Do I have to shut up?

[Lord Harlech (Con)]

My Lords, just for clarification, because a number of questions were raised, if the Committee feels that it would like to hear more from the Minister, it can. It is for the mood of the Committee to decide.

[Baroness Kidron (CB)]

I would like to hear from the Minister.