Written question asked by Paul Burstow (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 7 February 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 14 February 2000. It was answered by Lord Spellar (Labour) on Monday, 14 February 2000 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his Answer of 2 February, 343 c590W, on computers, what type of classified information was accessed by his Department's staff in each hacking incident; and what grades or type of staff would normally have access to this information. - (Holding answer 10 February 2000).

Answer: Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 31 January 2000, Official Report, column 590W, on computers, what type of classified information was accessed by his Department's staff in each hacking incident; and what grades or type of staff would normally have access to this information. [109458] Mr. Spellar: [holding answer 10 February 2000]: Internal hacking incidents are categorised into eight different types of misuse and the classification of the information involved may not be relevant to the type of incident. During the past two years, none of the internal hacking incidents involved the theft or disclosure of classified information. Access to classified information is determined by the post held by the staff member and also on a need to know basis. The grade of the staff member is not relevant.

Secondary information