§ Mr. OatenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many security passes have been reported lost or stolen by staff in his Department in the last 12 months. [144268]
§ Fiona MactaggartThe total number of Home Office Security Passes reported lost or stolen on the London and Croydon Estates for the 12 months ending 11 December 2003 was 291; for London 162, for Croydon 129.
448WThe loss of these passes is a nuisance rather than a threat. They do not show that they provide access to the Home Office. They all have a photograph which enables the security guards and others to challenge a person other than the rightful holder. The passes for the central London estate are de-activated as soon as they are reported missing, so that they cannot be used to gain entry through revolving/circle lock doors.