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Six more data discs 'are missing' Six more data discs 'are missing'
(about 1 hour later)
HM Revenue and Customs has confirmed that a further six data discs have gone missing in transit between its offices in Preston and London.HM Revenue and Customs has confirmed that a further six data discs have gone missing in transit between its offices in Preston and London.
The discs, transported by courier company TNT, contained recorded conversations between a member of staff and a customer making a complaint. The discs, which were reported missing on 30 October, contained recorded conversations between a member of staff and a customer making a complaint.
They were reported missing on the 30 October, HMRC said.
Police are still searching for two computer discs containing the details of 25m Child Benefit claimants.Police are still searching for two computer discs containing the details of 25m Child Benefit claimants.
The search for the first two missing discs, which have not been seen since being put into the internal post at HMRC in Tyne and Wear, has moved to a number of TNT premises. The HMRC says evidence suggests the discs are still on their premises.
'Cannot be proved'
Police are focusing on depots of TNT, which delivers HMRC mail, after completing inquiries at HMRC's offices.
A spokesman for TNT confirmed that its premises in London had been searched on Friday night.
See sequence of events in the lost CDs scandalSee sequence of events in the lost CDs scandal
He said it was impossible to say whether the CDs had ever entered TNT's system. The second lost package, containing six discs, went missing after being sent from a tax credit office in Preston to HMRC's Whitehall headquarters in London.
"We are all working on that theory, but it cannot be proved one way or the other," he said. They were despatched through the same internal mail system used by those who sent the two missing Child Benefit discs, which have not been seen since being posted at HMRC in Tyne and Wear on 18 October.
Police search
Police are now focusing their search for the lost Child Benefit records discs on depots of the courier company TNT after completing inquiries at HMRC's offices.
We have been given absolutely no proof either from HMRC or from the police that these discs ever entered the TNT system, let alone that we have mislaid them TNT spokesman
A spokesman for TNT confirmed its premises in London had been searched on Friday night and said the company was fully co-operating with police.
But he added that it was impossible to say whether the CDs had entered TNT's system.
"We have been given absolutely no proof either from HMRC or from the police that these discs ever entered the TNT system, let alone that we have mislaid them.
"HMRC confirmed to us last night that they use two other companies for internal mail."
Specialist teams
An HMRC spokesman confirmed the agency did use other courier services and said that the hunt for the discs would be "wide-ranging and comprehensive".
"All the evidence points to the fact that these discs are still on our premises," he added.
Police looking for the discs completed their search at the Washington HMRC building on Friday night.Police looking for the discs completed their search at the Washington HMRC building on Friday night.
HAVE YOUR SAY I think most people realise that finding the discs won't close the case Jack R Send us your comments
A Scotland Yard spokeswoman confirmed searches had now started at TNT buildings, but would not say at how many or reveal the locations.A Scotland Yard spokeswoman confirmed searches had now started at TNT buildings, but would not say at how many or reveal the locations.
A core team of 47 detectives from the Specialist and Economic Crime Directorate has been involved in the search operation.A core team of 47 detectives from the Specialist and Economic Crime Directorate has been involved in the search operation.
Raising fears
The first two missing discs hold the personal details of all families in the UK with a child under 16.The first two missing discs hold the personal details of all families in the UK with a child under 16.
The data on them includes the name, address, date of birth, National Insurance number and, where relevant, bank details of 25 million people.The data on them includes the name, address, date of birth, National Insurance number and, where relevant, bank details of 25 million people.
The discs were intended for the National Audit Office (NAO) in London, but never arrived from HMRC's office in Washington, Tyne and Wear.The discs were intended for the National Audit Office (NAO) in London, but never arrived from HMRC's office in Washington, Tyne and Wear.
HAVE YOUR SAY I think most people realise that finding the discs won't close the case Jack R Send us your comments
The TNT spokesman said the sender of the CDs had used the firm's general mail service rather than its facility that allows customers to monitor the progress of deliveries.
However, TNT was fully co-operating with police, he said.
He said the firm carried up to 100,000 items of mail each night on behalf of HMRC, and also had contracts with other government departments and bodies.
In March, officials at HMRC began the practice of downloading the entire Child Benefit database onto CDs and sending them through the internal mail to the NAO for auditing.In March, officials at HMRC began the practice of downloading the entire Child Benefit database onto CDs and sending them through the internal mail to the NAO for auditing.
The practice came to light only on Tuesday when it was revealed the two discs had been lost - raising fears that data protection laws had been broken.The practice came to light only on Tuesday when it was revealed the two discs had been lost - raising fears that data protection laws had been broken.
'Failure of duty''Failure of duty'
Prime Minister Gordon Brown told MPs he "profoundly regrets" the loss of the records and he apologised for the "inconvenience and worries" caused to families.Prime Minister Gordon Brown told MPs he "profoundly regrets" the loss of the records and he apologised for the "inconvenience and worries" caused to families.
He said the government was working to prevent the data being used for fraud.He said the government was working to prevent the data being used for fraud.
But Conservative leader David Cameron said the government had "failed in its first duty to protect the public".But Conservative leader David Cameron said the government had "failed in its first duty to protect the public".
On Friday, it also emerged that the NAO had handed unencrypted discs containing details of all Child Benefit claimants to accountants KPMG.On Friday, it also emerged that the NAO had handed unencrypted discs containing details of all Child Benefit claimants to accountants KPMG.
The NAO said they had been delivered by hand and returned safely.The NAO said they had been delivered by hand and returned safely.
Meanwhile, accountancy firm Grant Thomson has warned that the loss could be repeated if plans to reshape HMRC, including "slashing its funding and staff", continued.Meanwhile, accountancy firm Grant Thomson has warned that the loss could be repeated if plans to reshape HMRC, including "slashing its funding and staff", continued.
Francesca Lagerberg, head of the company's tax office, said the "hard-pushed" department was "being asked to provide more for less".Francesca Lagerberg, head of the company's tax office, said the "hard-pushed" department was "being asked to provide more for less".
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
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