To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 11 January 2010, Official Report, columns 701-02W, on telephone tapping, how many individuals have been warned by the Metropolitan Police Service about the possible illegal interception of their communications since July 2009; how many such individuals are in the (a) police, (b) military, (c) government and (d) royal category; and how many individuals were so contacted during the investigation which preceded the arrests of Clive Goodman and Glenn Mulcaire in August 2006. (319080)

[holding answer 1 March 2010]: Further to my answer to the hon. Member on 11 January 2010, Official Report, column 702W, where information exists to suggest some form of interception of an individual's phone was or may have been attempted by Clive Goodman and Glenn Mulcaire, the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) has taken all necessary steps to ensure those individuals have been informed.

The MPS is committed to respecting and protecting the privacy of those who may have been subject to illegal interception of their communications. The MPS considers that breaking down the small number of individuals contacted would undermine this commitment.