This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/7106987.stm

The article has changed 14 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 6 Version 7
Discs 'are in government offices' Officials 'warned on data safety'
(29 minutes later)
Letters are being sent to seven million families telling them the lost discs with their bank details on are "likely to still be on government property". Revenue and Customs officials were warned to ensure CDs containing benefit details of 25 million people were delivered "as safely as possible".
Police are continuing to search for the discs full of personal details which were lost by HM Revenue and Customs. The warning - from the National Audit Office - is included in e-mail exchanges released by the government.
The revenue says investigations suggest the discs, with 25 million people's files on, are not in criminal hands. Ministers hope the e-mails prove the decision to send personal data in the post was not a high level one.
Ministers have also released e-mails they say shows the decision to send the data was not a "high level" one. A National Audit Office letter also reveals Child Benefit files were sent to accountancy firm KPMG.
The Conservatives claim senior managers at HMRC had approved the transfer of bank details on to the discs to save cash - despite a request not do so from the National Audit Office (NAO). In a letter about the missing discs the NAO mentions that KPMG have been asked for assurances they "deleted or erased" earlier data provided to them.
A senior business manager at HMRC sent an e-mail in March to the National Audit Office (NAO), copying in another senior HMRC official at assistant director level, the NAO said. One e-mail, dated 13 March by an NAO official, with all names blanked out, says: "I do not need the address, bank or parent details in this download - are these removable to make the file smaller?"
Another NAO email to the HMRC, with all names blanked out, dated 2 October, said: "Please could we have a copy of the data scans being carried out in early October 2007 and early February 2008.
See sequence of events in the lost CDs scandalSee sequence of events in the lost CDs scandal
The government has released these e-mail exchanges, from March and October, which it says proves the decision was not taken at a senior level. "We require this data for our audit. Last time we had 100 zipped files on 2 CDs.
The subject line says "URGENT Extract from the compliance scan" and it is marked "Confidential". "Please could you ensure that the CDs are delivered to NAO as safely as possible due to their content."
But the names of the officials have been blanked out along with much of the content, contains "sensitive technical information". The same email also asked the recipient to ring the NAO when the CDs had been received so that the relevant passwords could be passed on.
One e-mail, dated 13 March by an NAO official official, says: "I do not need the address, bank or parent details in this download - are these removable to make the file smaller?" But the NAO said that although a senior official at HMRC - the Process Owner for Child Benefit - was copied in on an email about the CDs, there is no evidence that he or she made the decision to release the data.
A further e-mail from an unnamed NAO official, dated 2 October 2007, requesting data scans for their audit, says "Please could you ensure that the CDs are delivered to NAO as safely as possible due to their content". 'Serious questions'
Shadow Chancellor George Osborne said far from clearing senior officials of blame the e-mails were evidence of "systemic failure" at the HMRC.
MISSING DATA INCLUDES National insurance numberName, address and birth datePartner's detailsNames, sex and age of childrenBank/savings account details -->Enlarge Image-->
He said Chancellor Alistair Darling now faced "serious questions about the version of events he gave earlier this week that this was some lone figure sitting by themselves at a computer. That is not what these e-mails reveal".
The government is also seeking to reassure people that their personal details have not fallen into criminal hands.The government is also seeking to reassure people that their personal details have not fallen into criminal hands.
In the letter being sent to families, HM Revenue and Customs apologises for losing the data but says "there is no evidence that it is in the possession of anyone else". In a letter being sent to seven million families, HM Revenue and Customs apologises for losing the data but says it is still "likely to still be on government property".
Police are continuing to search for the discs full of personal details which were lost by HM Revenue and Customs but, the HMRC letter says, "there is no evidence that it is in the possession of anyone else".
The letter, which is signed by Dave Hartnett, HMRC's director general (business), also advises people not to give personal or account details "if anyone contacts you unexpectedly".The letter, which is signed by Dave Hartnett, HMRC's director general (business), also advises people not to give personal or account details "if anyone contacts you unexpectedly".
"Instead take a note of their name and number, and if you are at all suspicious contact your bank or building society."Instead take a note of their name and number, and if you are at all suspicious contact your bank or building society.
"If your password uses any of your personal data, for example your child's name or date of birth, you may also wish to consider changing any passwords you use.""If your password uses any of your personal data, for example your child's name or date of birth, you may also wish to consider changing any passwords you use."
Shadow Commons leader Theresa May earlier called for an "urgent statement" from Chancellor Alistair Darling to give MPs the "true version of events" surrounding the release of data.
'Fiasco'
Ms May also called on Mr Darling to explain his claim the banks had wanted "as much time as possible to prepare for the announcement" - something she said had been denied by the British Bankers Association.
MISSING DATA INCLUDES National insurance numberName, address and birth datePartner's detailsNames, sex and age of childrenBank/savings account details -->Enlarge Image-->
She told MPs: "The Northern Rock fiasco and the HMRC scandal tell us everything we need to know about the government - incompetent, insincere and in deep trouble. Isn't it time somebody just got a grip?"
Ms Harman urged MPs to wait for the outcome of the government's inquiries.
She said: "What we want is full reliable information on this and not speculation."
She also rejected Lib Dem President Simon Hughes' call for an emergency debate to discuss the implications of the data crisis on plans for a national identity card scheme.
Mr Hughes told MPs: "We need to assess the stupidity of that proposal... so we don't waste any more public money going down that completely unhelpful road."
Spot checksSpot checks
On Wednesday, Prime Minister Gordon Brown apologised for the data loss but said it was down to officials not following the rules rather than "systemic" failures at HMRC caused by budget cuts.On Wednesday, Prime Minister Gordon Brown apologised for the data loss but said it was down to officials not following the rules rather than "systemic" failures at HMRC caused by budget cuts.
He has ordered security checks on all government departments to ensure data is properly protected.He has ordered security checks on all government departments to ensure data is properly protected.
Under the plans, the Information Commissioner, Richard Thomas, will be given powers to carry out spot checks - a move previously rejected by ministers.Under the plans, the Information Commissioner, Richard Thomas, will be given powers to carry out spot checks - a move previously rejected by ministers.
But Mr Brown rejected calls to give Mr Thomas power to mount spot checks on private firms which hold personal data, such as banks or internet search companies.
HMRC is protecting the identity of the official blamed for sending the two discs containing the details of 25m people by courier from the Child Benefit office in Washington, Tyne and Wear, to the NAO in London on 18 October.HMRC is protecting the identity of the official blamed for sending the two discs containing the details of 25m people by courier from the Child Benefit office in Washington, Tyne and Wear, to the NAO in London on 18 October.
The official, who the BBC understands is a 23-year-old man, has reportedly been suspended pending disciplinary action.The official, who the BBC understands is a 23-year-old man, has reportedly been suspended pending disciplinary action.
  • Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs has set up a Child Benefit Helpline on 0845 302 1444 for customers who want more details.
  • Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs has set up a Child Benefit Helpline on 0845 302 1444 for customers who want more details.
    • LOST CDS - SEQUENCE OF EVENTS 18 October - Junior official from HMRC in Washington, Tyne and Wear, sends two CDs containing password-protected records to audit office in London through courier TNT, neither recorded nor registered 24 October - When package fails to arrive, second one is sent by registered post and arrives safely3 November - Senior managers are told first package has been lost10 November - Prime minister and other ministers are informed12 November - HMRC tell ministers CDs will probably be found 14 November - When HMRC searches fail, Metropolitan Police are called in 15 November- Richard Thomas, Information Commissioner, says remedial action must be taken before public is informed 20 November - HMRC Chairman Paul Gray resigns; Chancellor Alistair Darling makes announcement to House of Commons21 November - Prime Minister Gordon Brown apologises and orders security checks Timeline in detail LOST CDS - SEQUENCE OF EVENTS 18 October - Junior official from HMRC in Washington, Tyne and Wear, sends two CDs containing password-protected records to audit office in London through courier TNT, neither recorded nor registered 24 October - When package fails to arrive, second one is sent by registered post and arrives safely3 November - Senior managers are told first package has been lost10 November - Prime minister and other ministers are informed12 November - HMRC tell ministers CDs will probably be found 14 November - When HMRC searches fail, Metropolitan Police are called in 15 November- Richard Thomas, Information Commissioner, says remedial action must be taken before public is informed 20 November - HMRC Chairman Paul Gray resigns; Chancellor Alistair Darling makes announcement to House of Commons21 November - Prime Minister Gordon Brown apologises and orders security checks Timeline in detail
    ReturnReturn