Written question asked by Jenny Willott (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 18 June 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 20 June 2008. It was answered by Derek Twigg (Labour) on Tuesday, 1 July 2008 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Departmental Vetting

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of successful applicants for jobs in his Department are subjected to a criminal records check; how many (a) successful applicants and (b) criminal records checks there were in each of the last 10 years; how many successful applicants were found to have a criminal record after a criminal records check took place in each of the last 10 years; whether the selection of successful candidates to be subjected to a criminal records check is random or targeted; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Approximately 90 per cent. of MOD posts in the MOD require National Security Vetting which includes a full criminal record check. This requires candidates to declare all criminal convictions, including spent convictions. Pre-employment checks on the remainder require all candidates to declare unspent convictions, and random checks are made on these declarations.Inquiries carried out by the Defence vetting agency indicate that between 5 per cent. to 10 per cent. of MOD applicants for National Security Vetting show an adverse trace on the Police National Computer. Such traces indicate a record against the individual and show any kind of conviction, ranging from juvenile offences to the most serious crimes. A trace may also indicate a police caution, that the person is wanted or missing, or that there is an impending prosecution. While a proportion of the traces will indicate a criminal record, it is not possible to give a definitive figure, nor state how many individuals were subsequently employed, without examining individual cases, at disproportionate cost.

Secondary information