Departmental Security

Danny Alexander
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many breaches of security have been reported at (a) the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, (b) the Defence Storage and Distribution Agency, (c) the Defence Support Group, (d) the Defence Vetting Agency, (e) the Meteorological Office, (f) the Ministry of Defence Police and Guarding Agency, (g) the People, Pay and Pensions Agency, (h) Service Children's Education, (i) the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency and (j) the UK Hydrographic Office in the last five years; and what procedures each agency follows when a breach of security involves the disclosure of personal data.

Mr. Kevan Jones
MOD units are not required to centrally report all breaches of security and therefore the requested information could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The procedures followed when breaches occur are in accordance with the Defence Manual of Security and additionally, in respect of data losses, a Defence Instruction designed to meet the requirements of the Data Protection Act and the Information Commissioner.