To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 8 January 2008, Official Report, column 438W, on social security benefits: personal records, what the method of the transfer of data is; and what safeguards he has put in place to ensure security. (179365)

[holding answer 15 January 2008]: The Department provides information to the National Audit Office either electronically or by paper copy.

The safeguards in place to ensure the security of such data include rigorous courier arrangements and a requirement that physical transfers of data must have the specific authority of a member of the senior civil service.