Written question asked by Norman Baker (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 15 January 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 28 January 2002. It was answered by Lord Blunkett (Labour) on Monday, 28 January 2002 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many MI5 files were extant at 31st December 2001; how many were categorised as (a) green, (b) amber and (c) red in each category; and how many were (i) held on microfiche and (ii) held as hard-copy in each category. - Includes figures, and will write with breakdown within categories. (Holding answer 22 January 2002).

Answer: Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many MI5 files were extant at 31 December 2001; how many were categorised as (a) green, (b) amber and (c) red in each category; and how many were (i) held on microfiche and (ii) held as hard-copy in each category. [28639] Mr. Blunkett: [holding answer 22 January 2002]: The Security Service held approximately 360,000 files at the end of December 2001, of which 210,000 are personal files and of those 40,000 were on microfiche. There were 20,000 personal files categorised as green, the remainder being either amber or red. I cannot give an immediate breakdown between these categories but I will write to the hon. Member shortly with this information and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Secondary information