To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many items of post sent by his Department and its predecessor were reported missing by the intended recipient in each year since 1997. (171285)

I refer the hon. Member to the statement made by right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 21 November 2007, Official Report, column 1179. The review by the Cabinet Secretary and security experts is looking at procedures within Departments and agencies for the storage and use of data. A statement on Departments' procedures will be made on completion of the review. An interim progress report on the review was published on 17 December by the Cabinet Office through a written ministerial statement, column 98WS.

The Ministry of Justice and its predecessor have no record of any items of post having been reported missing since 1997.