HC Deb 14 January 2004 vol 416 cc785-6W
Richard Ottaway

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list occasions on which her Department have conducted an inquiry into alleged leaks from members of staff since 1997; and if she will list the occasions on which the names of those persons accused of leaking information from heir Department have been made public(a) by the Government and (b) by way of another source. [147193]

Ms Hewitt

The information is as follows1997 The DTI conducted nine leak inquiries and assisted other Government Departments in a further four inquiries. 1998 The DTI conducted four leak inquiries and assisted other Government Departments in a further three inquiries. 1999 The DTI conducted one leak inquiry and assisted other Government Departments in a further four inquiries. 2000 The DTI conducted one leak inquiry and assisted other Government Departments in a further three inquiries. 2001 The DTI conducted no leak inquiries and was not asked to assist in any leak inquiry conducted by another Government Department. 2002 The DTI conducted one leak inquiry and assisted another Government Department in one further inquiry. 2003 The DTI conducted one leak inquiry and assisted other Government Departments in a further two inquiries.

On no occasion has the name of any person accused of leaking information been made public.