§ Mr. Stephen O'BrienTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps the Government are
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VAT registrations 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 United Kingdom 187,690 187,515 181,370 184,035 174,620 175,800 North East 4,195 4,215 4,255 4,375 4,110 4,200 North West 18,460 18,720 17,830 18,285 17,445 17,595 Yorkshire and the Humber 12,165 12,110 11,980 12,180 11,675 12,140 East Midlands 12,035 11,925 11,480 12,010 11,425 12,075 West Midlands 14,745 14,905 14,530 14,675 14,055 14,265 East 18,950 18,215 17,385 18,465 17,330 17,655 London 37,280 39,305 37,655 37,760 34,385 33,490 South East 30,740 30,120 29,115 29,285 28,520 28,480 taking to address the problems arising from information security breaches. [157245]
§ Mr. TimmsThe Department works with business to produce a biennial survey of information security breaches. The 2004 Information Security Breaches Survey will be launched on 27 April at the Infosecurity Europe exhibition. These surveys help to raise awareness of the need for good information security practice and help to inform our own activities. Recent surveys have identified a need for easy to understand security advice for small and medium–sized companies. In response to this need, our most recent initiative was the launch last year of an online source of information on e-security. This resource draws together a range of tools, advice and guidance on core areas of information security and is aimed particularly at smaller businesses. New content is currently being added to this site which can be found at www.ukonlineforbusiness.gov.uk/informationsecurity. This will assist businesses in preventing and recovering from information security breaches.