Information Commissioner gives evidence to MPs
23 March 2010 (updated on 22 April 2010)
In the first of three evidence sessions, the Home Affairs Committee examines the work of the Information Commissioner’s Office following-up on the Committee's report, 'A Surveillance Society'. Watch live from 10.45am.
- Video and Audio: Home Affairs Committee evidence sessions
- Home Affairs Committee
- Report: A Surveillance Society
Follow-up to the Committee's Report on A Surveillance Society
This one-off evidence session will explore the performance of the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), the workings of the Freedom of Information and Data Protection Acts and the Government's handling of personal data.
10.45am
Witnesses
- Christopher Graham, Information Commissioner
- Jonathan Bamford, Head of Strategic Liaison, Information Commissioner’s Office
Keith Vaz MP, Chairman of the Committee, said:
"In 2007 this Committee produced a Report questioning whether Britain was a "Surveillance Society". This session will allow us to examine developments since then, and what steps the Government and the Information Commissioner's Office have taken to ensure the safe-keeping of personal information.
We will also be looking at the operation of the Freedom of Information and Data Protection Acts, and the challenges posed to the ICO by the rise of internet sites such as facebook and MySpace."
The work of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs
This is a one-off session to hear from the newly-appointed Interim Chair of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs. The session will explore some of the findings of the Committee's recent Report on The Cocaine Trade, and some other topical issues about drug classification and harms.
Witness
11.30am
- Professor Les Iversen, Interim Chair, Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs
Keith Vaz MP, Chairman of the Committee, said:
"In the light of the tragic deaths of two young men in Scunthorpe this week, the Committee is keen to seek the views of Professor Iversen on the position of mephedrone and other so-called 'legal highs'. We also look forward to discussing with him the findings of our recent report on cocaine, and the forthcoming review of cocaine by the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs".
The work of the Security Industry Authority
12noon
Witness
- Bill Butler, Chief Executive, Security Industry Authority