Written Answers to Questions
Monday 16 March 2009
Scotland
Departmental Data Protection
Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his Department uses WPA2 encryption protocol on all its wireless networks. [259836]
Ann McKechin: Information is a key asset to Government and its correct handling is vital to the delivery of public services and to the integrity of HMG. The Security Policy Framework, the Data Handling Report and the National Information Assurance Strategy produced by the Cabinet Office provide a strategic framework for protecting information that Government handle and put in place a set of mandatory measures which Departments must adhere to.
The Scotland Office does not have any wireless networks. Any possible wireless networks would follow CESG guidance on the use of the Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 (WPA2) communications security protocols in order to protect wireless networks carrying protectively marked (up to restricted/IL3) traffic. The configuration and operation standards for WPA2 are set out in CESG’s Infosec Manual Y, Use of WPA2 Wireless Security in Government Systems.
Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what auditing his Department undertakes to ensure that IT security policies are being followed; and on how many occasions (a) IT security policies have been breached by employees and (b) a member of staff has been sanctioned for a breach of such policies in the last 12 months. [259837]
Ann McKechin: Information is a key asset to Government and its correct handling is vital to the delivery of public services and to the integrity of HMG. The Security Policy Framework, the Data Handling Report and the National Information Assurance Strategy produced by the Cabinet Office provide a strategic framework for protecting information that Government handle and put in place a set of mandatory measures which Departments must adhere to.
The Scotland Office is compliant with the security policies contained in the Government Security Policy Framework including those for information security and assurance, these comprise a system of self assessment, accreditation, assurance reporting, audit and review.
There have been no reported cases of breaches of IT security policies in the last 12 months. However, in the event of any such breach, a range of sanctions are available including disciplinary or administrative action, and in extreme or persistent cases, termination of employment/services and, if appropriate, criminal proceedings.
Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will place in the Library a copy of his Department's IT security hierarchy. [259838]
Ann McKechin: Information is a key asset to Government and its correct handling is vital to the delivery of public services and to the integrity of HMG. The Security Policy Framework, the Data Handling Report and the National Information Assurance Strategy produced by the Cabinet Office provide a strategic framework for protecting information that Government handle and put in place a set of mandatory measures which Departments must adhere to.
The Scotland Office is part of the Ministry of Justice. It is not in the interest of the security of the Office, or that of the public, to disclose detailed information pertaining to individuals responsibilities or to specific electronic breaches of security of Department's IT systems. Disclosing such information would enable criminals and those who would attempt to cause disruptive threats to the Department to deduce how to conduct attacks and therefore potentially enhance their capability to carry out such attacks.
Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what scanning for vulnerabilities his Department conducts of each of its IT devices; what method is used for IT device scans; and how many vulnerabilities have been detected as a result of such scans in the last 12 months. [259839]
Ann McKechin: Information is a key asset to Government and its correct handling is vital to the delivery of public services and to the integrity of HMG. The Security Policy Framework, the Data Handling Report and the National Information Assurance Strategy produced by the Cabinet Office provide a strategic framework for protecting information that Government handle and put in place a set of mandatory measures which Departments must adhere to.
It is not in the interest of the security of the Office, or that of the public, to disclose detailed information pertaining to electronic breaches of security of Department's IT systems. Disclosing such information would enable criminals and those who would attempt to cause disruptive threats to the Department to deduce how to conduct attacks and therefore potentially enhance their capability to carry out such attacks.
Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what IT security policy his Department has; what procedures are in place to ensure the policy is being followed; what his Department's policy is on encryption of data when they leave departmental premises; and what sanctions are in place for failure to comply with this policy. [259845]
Ann McKechin: Information is a key asset to Government and its correct handling is vital to the delivery of public services and to the integrity of HMG. The Security Policy Framework, the Data Handling Report and the National Information Assurance Strategy produced by the Cabinet Office provide a strategic framework for protecting information that Government handle and put in place a set of mandatory measures which Departments must adhere to.
The Scotland Office shares an information technology system (SCOTS) with the Scottish Executive, who are responsible for the development, administration (including data compliance and security) and maintenance of the system. Under this arrangement, the Scotland Office is compliant with the security policies contained in the Government Security Policy Framework including those for information security and assurance.
Departmental Visits Abroad
David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much expenditure was incurred in respect of overseas visits which (a) he, (b) other Ministers in his Department and (c) his Department’s senior officials undertook in 2008. [262173]
Ann McKechin: Since 1999, the Government have published a list of all overseas travel by Cabinet Ministers costing over £500. Information for the financial year 2007-08 was published on 22 July 2008, Official Report, column 102WS, and for the first time, included details of overseas visits undertaken by all Ministers. All travel by Ministers is undertaken in accordance with the “Ministerial Code”. No foreign travel was undertaken by senior officials in 2007-08.
Trade Unions
Mr. Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which trade unions are recognised in his Department. [262084]
Ann McKechin: The Scotland Office is part of the Ministry of Justice, and as such recognise those trade unions which are members of the Council of Civil Service Unions, these include; PCS, Prospect and FDA.
Olympics
Olympic Games 2012: Scotland
Sandra Osborne: To ask the Minister for the Olympics how many suppliers based in Scotland have been awarded contracts by the Olympic Delivery Authority to date. [263519]
Tessa Jowell: To the end of January 2009, 13 suppliers registered in Scotland had been awarded contracts by the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA).
The ODA will be attending a 2012 business engagement event in Scotland on 13 March. Details of this and similar events are provided on the London 2012 website:
I will also be visiting Scotland on 30 April to 11 May to encourage businesses to get involved in the games.
Businesses should be encouraged to sign up to CompeteFor, the electronic brokerage service that is designed to give businesses across the country access to contracts in the London 2012 supply chains and any support they need to get ready to compete for them. To date, just over 2,000 opportunities have been posted on CompeteFor.
Culture, Media and Sport
Culture: Education
Mr. Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the Creative Sparks initiative. [256087]
Barbara Follett: The Creative Sparks initiative developed into the Cultural Hubs programme, which ran from autumn 2005 to summer 2008. This comprised a consortium of cultural organisations and schools working together in three areas of England to create inspirational learning opportunities for young people.
The total budget for each Cultural Hub was £1 million. Creative Sparks identified 10 areas of work which the schools were asked to deliver on. By 2008, 33 per cent. of Cultural Hubs schools had delivered 100 per cent. of the 10 areas and 78 per cent. had delivered 80 per cent. of the 10 areas outlined in the original Creative Sparks initiative.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport continues to support the initiative's aims through a range of work including new audiences, young talent and a cultural offer for children and young people.
Digital Switchover Help Scheme
Ann Coffey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions his Department has had with groups representing (a) the elderly and (b) the disabled on assisting older people with digital switchover. [261855]
Andy Burnham [holding answer 11 March 2009]: My Department holds quarterly meetings with the Consumer Expert Group (CEG) set up to advise Government on consumer issues relating to digital television. Help the Aged, Age Concern, the Royal National Institute for the Deaf, the Royal National Institute for the Blind, the Telecommunications Action Group and Sense are all represented on the Group. Digital UK and the Digital Switchover Help Scheme Ltd. who administer the Switchover Help Scheme for the BBC also attend.
In addition, we occasionally have separate meetings with members of CEG.
At the request of the Government, the group made a number of recommendations on the structure and operation of the help scheme which provides assistance to older and significantly disabled people through digital switchover and these are available at
Transport
High Speed Two: Finance
Mrs. Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much funding his Department has agreed to provide to High Speed Two Ltd. [262422]
Paul Clark: The company High Speed Two (HS2) Ltd. will be provided with grants totalling up to £5 million over the course of 2009. This will be reviewed in the light of detailed work planning by High Speed Two.
Humber Bridge: Road Traffic
Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent estimate his Department has made of the daily volume of business traffic crossing the Humber Bridge. [263669]
Paul Clark [holding answer 13 March 2009]: The Humber Bridge Board is responsible for estimating levels of traffic on the Humber Bridge.
Humber Bridge: Tolls
Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate his Department has made of the annual amount collected in tolls from business traffic crossing the Humber Bridge. [263670]
Paul Clark [holding answer 13 March 2009]: The Humber Bridge Board is responsible for recording and estimating toll revenues collected on the Humber Bridge.
Lyme Bay: Boats
Mr. Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many vessels have been inspected by the Marine and Coastguard Agency within the territorial waters of Lyme Bay in each of the last 10 years; and for what reason in each case. [263968]
Jim Fitzpatrick: The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) usually inspects vessels in port rather than at sea.
The MCA only holds records from 2002 and does not hold specific information for the territorial waters off Lyme Bay. However for the area up to 12 nautical miles between Portland Bill and Start Point, the breakdown by year is shown in the table:
| Inspection type | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 |
| Next Section | Index | Home Page |