To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent assessment he has made of the efficiency and effectiveness of operations at his Department's file store in Nelson. (261893)

[holding answer 9 March 2009]: The DWP Record Storage performance by the contractor, Capita, is rated as satisfactory to good in all areas based on the current contract Management Information and Key Performance Indicators. DWP closely monitors, evaluates and manages the contractual performance of Capita in all aspects of our requirements.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether his Department's file store in Nelson holds Criminal Records Bureau files. (261894)

[holding answer 9 March 2009]: The Department for Work and Pensions holds no Criminal Records Bureau files at Nelson filestore.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many employees of Capita are contracted to work at his Department's file store in Nelson; what mechanisms are in place for undertaking security checks of such employees; and whether people who have a criminal record are eligible for employment at the file store. (261895)

[holding answer 9 March 2009]: Capita have 180 staff (101 permanent staff and 79 temporary staff) employed at Nelson.

Capita undertake strict security verification checks on all employed staff including:

checks on two years employment history with two references;

a check is carried out to confirm eligibility to work (nationality and immigration status);

an ID check; and

home address validations.

Anyone with a disclosed current criminal record would not be deemed suitable for a role here.

DWP and Capita takes the security verification of all staff employed at Nelson extremely seriously and the procedures in place are constantly reviewed and implemented.