Ms Helen Dixon:

The Deputy is correct that head 12 is blank at present. Our understanding from Mr. Carroll's presentation earlier and from discussions with him is that this matter is still under consideration. He outlined that one proposal is to make the chair of the Data Protection Commission or the Data Protection Commissioner an Accounting Officer who would account directly to the Committee of Public Accounts. There is debate as to whether that is necessary to achieve the level of independence required. For example, at present we have a ring-fenced budget and we have full discretion to decide how we spend and deploy it. That is where the area of remaining debate lies. With regard to our view, we are open to advice that either will suffice to serve to underline our independence. There probably is a benefit in being our own, stand alone, Accounting Officer in terms of perception.