EU Directive 2009/136/EC requires that a website must obtain prior consent from users before using cookies or similar technologies to gather information from users of the website or storing any data on the user's computer.
Cookies used by this site do not collect any personal information and are simply used to provide a better browsing experience or to maintain essential functionality, such as maintaining a logged-in user's session. The single exception is where a registered user chooses to save their login details for the site using the "Remember me" checkbox, in which case a cookie will be saved to store those details.
Further information is available from the Information Commissioners Office (UK) - http://www.ico.org.uk/for_organisations/privacy_and_electronic_communications/the_guide/cookies.
