§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list those items valued at more than £25 stolen or lost from his Department since 1 May 1997; and if he will make a statement. [27728]
§ Mr. Darling[holding answer 5 February 1998]: The information for the Treasury, Customs and Excise, and Inland Revenue is as listed, with costs:
HM Treasury £ 3 Personal computers 6,000 Foreign currency 150 2 Laptop computers 8,000 2 Telephone answer machines 115 14,265
Customs and Excise £ 9 Laptop computers 16,085 2 Personal computers 2,263 Cables and ethernet card 500 Ford transit van 8,300 Radio cassette 150 27,298
Inland Revenue £ 8 Laptop computers 12,000 7 Printers 2,965 4 Personal computers 5,730 2 Visual display units 400 4 Dictaphones 120 Television/camera equipment 1,961 Telephone equipment 4,100 Miscellaneous items 1,127 28,403 Counter measures adopted by the Treasury include, as appropriate, the installation of intruder detection systems, security marking, spot checks and searches, together with other physical deterrents such as alarms. These measures have resulted in a significant reduction in the number of thefts over the past two years. Further measures are being considered where appropriate.