Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when her Department plans to publish its response to the consultation on a new legal framework for law enforcement use of biometrics, facial recognition and similar technologies; and, with reference to the Cabinet Office consultation principles guidance, why the response was not published within 12 weeks.

The Home Office will publish its response to the public consultation on a new legal framework for law enforcement use of biometrics, facial recognition and similar technologies ahead of the introduction of the Police Reform Bill.

The consultation covered complex and rapidly developing technologies and attracted a significant number of responses from a wide range of interested parties. The Department has taken the necessary time to consider these responses alongside wider research, stakeholder engagement, operational evidence and the development of the relevant legislative measures.