Written question asked by Grant Shapps (Conservative) on Thursday, 14 January 2010, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 18 January 2010. It was answered by Sarah McCarthy-Fry (Labour) on Thursday, 21 January 2010 on behalf of the Treasury.

Departmental Internet

Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which websites his Department's staff are prevented from accessing from departmental networked computers.

Answer: Filtering software is used within the Department to block access to certain inappropriate categories of website . In addition, and consistent with central government security guidance, measures are in place to block access to websites that contain potentially harmful software content, or malware. It is departmental policy not to publish precise details of the measures used, or what they block, as this could provide useful information for individuals who might seek to attack our IT systems.

Secondary information