Revenue and Customs: Theft

Mr. Hoban
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many laptops have been stolen from HM Revenue and Customs in the last 12 months;

(2) what disciplinary action has been taken further to the theft of a laptop computer from HM Revenue and Customs in September; and if he will make a statement on the rules concerning keeping laptop computers in cars by HM Revenue and Customs;

(3) what type of data was held on the laptop stolen from HM Revenue and Customs in September 2007; how many records were stored on the laptop; to which financial institutions the records applied; and to how many individuals the records applied.

Jane Kennedy
41 laptops were stolen between October 2006 and September 2007, 16 of them during a break-in at one of HMRC’s offices.

Some 9,500 laptops are issued to HMRC staff who work away from their offices. The Department takes all thefts very seriously and acts appropriately in accordance with its security procedures.

I cannot comment on staff disciplinary matters or disclose information relating to the data held on stolen laptops.