§ Mr. GeorgeTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many cases of computer hacking, fraud and theft, including theft of computer chips, his Department has recorded in the last five years. [800]
§ Mr. SoamesConsolidated records of computer hacking, computer fraud and computer theft have only been maintained across the Department since 1 April 1995. Since that date 152 known cases of theft of computers or computer equipment, including two cases of chip theft, have been recorded and there have been no reported instances of computer fraud.
In respect of hacking I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for South Shields (Dr. Clark) on 17 June 1996, Official Report, column 364.
These figures do not include cases under current active investigation or sub judice.