Coroners and Justice Bill

My Lords, the debate was helpful and has narrowed down the issues. I can appreciate the comments of the noble Lord, Lord Henley, that while in principle the retention for a long time of innocent people’s photographs is unacceptable, he finds 14 days too short a period. I accept the arguments that he and the Minister made whereby there may be a difficultly with 14 days, but the Minister is missing the point. It is one thing when the police are normally taking photographs of a suspect because they have actually committed an offence, but I was talking about all the photographs taken of people who have committed no offence, other than to exercise their right as citizens to take part in a peaceful demonstration. The Minister will no doubt say that some of them may have committed an offence and that the police may need to keep those photographs to identify them, but that is a hypothetical situation. Photographs are taken of vast numbers of innocent people as they enter and leave openly advertised public meetings or demonstrations. These images of people, who it is accepted are innocent, are put on force-wide databases—and that is about chronicling campaigners’ political activities. It is that which is unacceptable. I understand why a period of 14 days has not found favour on the Conservative Front Bench, but an important issue remains. It is so serious that I shall take it away and consider it further. Although I shall not press it today, I do not intend to leave the matter to rest, because the principle here is as important as that regarding the retention of innocent people’s DNA. For that reason, I hope to return to the issue at some point. In the mean time, I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment 117A withdrawn. Schedule 19 : Amendments of the Data Protection Act 1998 (c. 29) Amendment 118 Schedule 19 : Amendments of the Data Protection Act 1998 (c. 29) Amendment 118 Moved by