Coroners and Justice Bill (232 pages, see Clause 152, link). Explanatory Memorandum (see pages 108-115, link). To try and head off objections to the official installation of the "surveillance state" the Bill includes "consultation" when
Coroners and Justice Bill (232 pages, see Clause 152, link). Explanatory Memorandum (see pages 108-115, link). To try and head off objections to the official installation of the “surveillance state” the Bill includes “consultation” when a Minister makes an “order” for “information-sharing”, 21 days for the Information Commissioner to make comments which will be taken into “account” (ie: are not binding) and need “parliamentary” approval – through the passing of Statutory Instruments (SI), which are simply “nodded” through without debate. See: Whitehall departments to share personal data – Straw lifts curbs on use of private information (Guardian, link) – Justice Minister, Jack Straw said: “you don’t want personally to give the same information again and again if it can be safely held and safely transferred.” and government’s: Tell Us Once Programme, a cross government initiative (link)