Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he has had discussions with industry representatives on the impact of data protection requirements on SMEs.

Yes, my department has regularly engaged with businesses, trade associations and other interest groups during passage of the Data (Use and Access) Act. Many of the provisions in the Act are designed to simplify the data protection legislation for organisations, while promoting innovation and economic growth, and maintaining high data protection standards.

My officials and I will continue to engage with stakeholders in the months ahead as we implement the Act. An impact assessment can be found here.