§ Mr. Keith SimpsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many laptops and computers have been(a) stolen and (b) lost by his Department since December 2000; and how many in each category have been recovered. [84608]
§ Dr. MoonieSince December 2000, there have been 260 reported cases of computer theft and six reported cases of computer losses across the Ministry of Defence. Details by category, distinguishing between laptops and other computers, and the numbers of each recovered, are not readily available, under current reporting arrangements and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. A new system of reporting is being introduced with effect from 1 April 2003. This will enable detailed data to be retrieved more readily.