[Steve Coates]

Almost clear.

WASt no longer exists as such. The functions of WASt were controlled by the Berlin authorities, hence their very literal interpretation of the Datenschutz provisions. Approximately a year or so ago, control of WASt was passed to the Bundesarchiv and it is now known as the Bundesarchiv-PA (Personenbezogene Auskünfte). Ideally over time, a slightly more open and helpful approach for researchers will be taken to matters of data protection.