To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many incidents of data loss from his Department involving (a) personal computers, (b) laptops and (c) portable USB devices have been recorded in 2009. (275111)

The MOD takes any loss of information and associated media storage devices very seriously and has robust procedures in place to mitigate against such occurrences. New processes, instructions and technological aids are also being implemented to mitigate human errors and raise awareness of every individual in the Department. The following table shows the number of incidents of data losses from MOD involving (a) personal computers, (b) laptops and (c) portable USB flash memory devices that have been centrally recorded from 1 January to 11 May 2009.