To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many Government procurement cards were reported (a) lost and (b) stolen in the last year for which figures are available. (323522)

3,316 Government Procurement Cards were officially reported lost or stolen during the period January to December 2009.

Buying Solutions, an Executive agency of the Office of Government Commerce, and the banks that issue the Government Procurement cards take lost and stolen cards very seriously. Buying Solutions provides advice to departments on how to reduce the risk of card fraud and each of the card issuers provides guidance to cardholders and programme administrators on the importance of keeping cards safe. Card issuers also use statement messaging to advise customers on security.