Written question asked by Lord Campbell of Pittenweem (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 7 March 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 20 March 2002. It was answered by Lord Moonie (Labour) on Wednesday, 20 March 2002 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his Answer of 31st January, Official Report, 379 c498W, on stolen equipment, whether the computer equipment stolen from his Department was (a) new and unused and (b) used; and what was the nature of the data stored on such items in each case. - Inc fact that provision of comprehensive details could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Answer: Mr. Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 31 January 2002, Official Report, column 498W, on stolen equipment, whether the computer equipment stolen from his Department was (a) new and unused and (b) used; and what was the nature of the data stored on such items in each case. [42638] Dr. Moonie: Reported cases of theft are held centrally on a summary basis only. They relate to items suspected of being stolen and so it cannot be assumed that theft actually applies in every case. The provision of comprehensive details relating to age, utilisation and nature of data stored in respect of each item of computer equipment suspected of being stolen could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 42638; 382 c321W;382 c319W
Session: 2001-02
Subjects: Costs Computers Government departments Equipment Ministry of Defence Theft
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk