§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 12 December (WA 48) about security vetting, how many posts in the Northern Ireland Civil Service are classified as sensitive posts or higher; how many of those post holders possess valid security clearance; whether any civil servants whose security clearances have expired were still in post on 12 December 2002; and, if so, why. [HL751]
§ The Lord Privy Seal (Lord Williams of Mostyn)The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland announced on 12 December 2002 a review of arrangements for security vetting in Northern Ireland. This will include consideration of the need to designate particular posts as sensitive and the criteria that should be applied. At present all administrative posts in the Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS) are subject to a counterterrorist check which is carried out on recruitment to the NICS. Under current national security vetting policy only individuals whose duties require long-term, frequent and uncontrolled access to Secret or Top Secret information or assets are regarded as requiring a security check or developed vetting. Very few posts within the NICS would involve such access. The extent and the appropriate levels and frequency of security vetting both at entry and beyond in the NICS will be examined afresh as part of the current review.