Data Protection Act 1998

Part IThe Commissioner

Status and capacity

1(1)The corporation sole by the name of the Data Protection Registrar established by the [1984 c. 35.] Data Protection Act 1984 shall continue in existence by the name of the Data Protection Commissioner.

(2)The Commissioner and his officers and staff are not to be regarded as servants or agents of the Crown.

Tenure of office

2(1)Subject to the provisions of this paragraph, the Commissioner shall hold office for such term not exceeding five years as may be determined at the time of his appointment.

(2)The Commissioner may be relieved of his office by Her Majesty at his own request.

(3)The Commissioner may be removed from office by Her Majesty in pursuance of an Address from both Houses of Parliament.

(4)The Commissioner shall in any case vacate his office—

(a)on completing the year of service in which he attains the age of sixty-five years, or

(b)if earlier, on completing his fifteenth year of service.

(5)Subject to sub-paragraph (4), a person who ceases to be Commissioner on the expiration of his term of office shall be eligible for re-appointment, but a person may not be re-appointed for a third or subsequent term as Commissioner unless, by reason of special circumstances, the person’s re-appointment for such a term is desirable in the public interest.

Salary etc.

3(1)There shall be paid—

(a)to the Commissioner such salary, and

(b)to or in respect of the Commissioner such pension,

as may be specified by a resolution of the House of Commons.

(2)A resolution for the purposes of this paragraph may—

(a)specify the salary or pension,

(b)provide that the salary or pension is to be the same as, or calculated on the same basis as, that payable to, or to or in respect of, a person employed in a specified office under, or in a specified capacity in the service of, the Crown, or

(c)specify the salary or pension and provide for it to be increased by reference to such variables as may be specified in the resolution.

(3)A resolution for the purposes of this paragraph may take effect from the date on which it is passed or from any earlier or later date specified in the resolution.

(4)A resolution for the purposes of this paragraph may make different provision in relation to the pension payable to or in respect of different holders of the office of Commissioner.

(5)Any salary or pension payable under this paragraph shall be charged on and issued out of the Consolidated Fund.

(6)In this paragraph “pension” includes an allowance or gratuity and any reference to the payment of a pension includes a reference to the making of payments towards the provision of a pension.

Officers and staff

4(1)The Commissioner—

(a)shall appoint a deputy commissioner, and

(b)may appoint such number of other officers and staff as he may determine.

(2)The remuneration and other conditions of service of the persons appointed under this paragraph shall be determined by the Commissioner.

(3)The Commissioner may pay such pensions, allowances or gratuities to or in respect of the persons appointed under this paragraph, or make such payments towards the provision of such pensions, allowances or gratuities, as he may determine.

(4)The references in sub-paragraph (3) to pensions, allowances or gratuities to or in respect of the persons appointed under this paragraph include references to pensions, allowances or gratuities by way of compensation to or in respect of any of those persons who suffer loss of office or employment.

(5)Any determination under sub-paragraph (1)(b), (2) or (3) shall require the approval of the Secretary of State.

(6)The [1969 c. 57.] Employers' Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969 shall not require insurance to be effected by the Commissioner.

5(1)The deputy commissioner shall perform the functions conferred by this Act on the Commissioner during any vacancy in that office or at any time when the Commissioner is for any reason unable to act.

(2)Without prejudice to sub-paragraph (1), any functions of the Commissioner under this Act may, to the extent authorised by him, be performed by any of his officers or staff.

Authentication of seal of the Commissioner

6The application of the seal of the Commissioner shall be authenticated by his signature or by the signature of some other person authorised for the purpose.

Presumption of authenticity of documents issued by the Commissioner

7Any document purporting to be an instrument issued by the Commissioner and to be duly executed under the Commissioner’s seal or to be signed by or on behalf of the Commissioner shall be received in evidence and shall be deemed to be such an instrument unless the contrary is shown.

Money

8The Secretary of State may make payments to the Commissioner out of money provided by Parliament.

9(1)All fees and other sums received by the Commissioner in the exercise of his functions under this Act or section 159 of the [1974 c. 39.] Consumer Credit Act 1974 shall be paid by him to the Secretary of State.

(2)Sub-paragraph (1) shall not apply where the Secretary of State, with the consent of the Treasury, otherwise directs.

(3)Any sums received by the Secretary of State under sub-paragraph (1) shall be paid into the Consolidated Fund.

Accounts

10(1)It shall be the duty of the Commissioner—

(a)to keep proper accounts and other records in relation to the accounts,

(b)to prepare in respect of each financial year a statement of account in such form as the Secretary of State may direct, and

(c)to send copies of that statement to the Comptroller and Auditor General on or before 31st August next following the end of the year to which the statement relates or on or before such earlier date after the end of that year as the Treasury may direct.

(2)The Comptroller and Auditor General shall examine and certify any statement sent to him under this paragraph and lay copies of it together with his report thereon before each House of Parliament.

(3)In this paragraph “financial year” means a period of twelve months beginning with 1st April.

Application of Part I in Scotland

11Paragraphs 1(1), 6 and 7 do not extend to Scotland.