To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent advice he has issued on security checks on (a) existing and (b) prospective staff in his Department; and if he will make a statement. (148490)

The Department complies with Cabinet Office guidelines on security checks. The Department’s existing staff have undergone the baseline check (formerly basic check) on entering employment with the Civil Service.

The Department undertakes additional checks in accordance with the access levels to particular buildings or work areas, for example:

CTC (counter terrorism check) for employees who require access to the Palace of Westminster.

SC (security clearance) investigation including security services, criminal records and finance check for employees in ministerial private offices and other sensitive work areas.

Advice on security checks for new recruits into the Civil Service has been directly in line with the “HMG Baseline Personnel Security Standard: A Good Practice guide to the Pre-Employment Screening of Government Staff and Contractors (July 2006)”, effective 1 April 2007. This covers verification of:

Identity;

Employment history;

Nationality; and

Unspent criminal record

The Department is compliant with the baseline personnel security standard.