To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many officials in the Identity and Passport Service are authorised to access electronic files and databases relating to an individual’s (a) immigration status, (b) asylum application and (c) passport application. (254446)

15 Identity and Passport Service (IPS) staff have authorised access to an electronic database relating to an individual’s immigrations status and asylum application. 2,964 IPS staff have access to the electronic passport application support system (PASS), which supports the processing of passport applications. In addition, 1,711 staff of Siemens IT Solutions and Services, who IPS contract to support and maintain PASS, have authorised access to this system.

All IPS and Siemens staff that have authorised access have been subject to the relevant background checks and hold the appropriate security clearance in accordance with current Home Office policy.

Access is limited to staff who have a legitimate business need and is strictly controlled.