HC Deb 15 February 1996 vol 271 cc695-6W
Dr. John Cunningham

To ask the Attorney-General (1) what investigations are under way into the theft of a DTI computer disc from the Treasury Solicitor's office; [14636]

(2) what action is to be taken in respect of the people alleged to have stolen a DTI computer disc from the Treasury Solicitor's office. [14635]

The Solicitor-General

The Metropolitan police commenced an investigation in November 1994, and in 1995 reported to the Crown Prosecution Service who advised that, in relation to one of the two persons investigated, there was no evidence of any criminal offence having been committed within the jurisdiction and that, therefore, no action could be taken by the Metropolitan police in relation to him, and in relation to the second person that there was sufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction but that it was not in the public interest to prosecute her. The police were advised to caution her.

Of the two people investigated by the Metropolitan police, only one had ever worked at the Treasury Solicitor's Department. She worked as a temporary typist, but had already left the Department before any investigation commenced.