To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what investigations his Department has initiated on (a) the opening of confidential correspondence from a constituent of the hon. Member for West Chelmsford to the Pension Service in Burnley by the Royal Mail, (b) the circumstances in which the confidential information enclosed in the correspondence was returned to the sender enclosed with confidential information relating to other individuals and (c) the manner in which the information was returned to the sender; and if he will make a statement. (200965)

[holding answer 24 April 2008]: Royal Mail is working as part of contracted arrangements with the Department to open the post received by the Pension Service. The correspondence that was sent in error to a member of the public, was recovered by the Department immediately the incident was reported, and the small number of affected customers were contacted and an apology given to them. The necessary action has been taken to protect the personal data involved.