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Millions of L-drivers' data lost Millions of L-driver details lost
(40 minutes later)
The details of three million candidates for the driving theory test have gone missing, Ruth Kelly has told MPs.The details of three million candidates for the driving theory test have gone missing, Ruth Kelly has told MPs.
Names, addresses and phone numbers - but not financial data - were among details on a computer hard drive which went missing in the US in May.Names, addresses and phone numbers - but not financial data - were among details on a computer hard drive which went missing in the US in May.
It belonged to a contractor to the Driving Standards Agency, the transport secretary told MPs. It belonged to a contractor working for the Driving Standards Agency, the transport secretary told MPs.
It is the latest in a series of data losses since discs with 25m people's details on were lost by HM Revenue.It is the latest in a series of data losses since discs with 25m people's details on were lost by HM Revenue.
Ms Kelly said the details of learner drivers had been formatted specifically for the contractor, Pearson's, and was not readily accessible or usable by third parties. Ms Kelly said the details of learner drivers had been formatted specifically for the contractor, Pearson Vue, and was not readily accessible or usable by third parties.
Risks 'not substantial'Risks 'not substantial'
She said the details were not sent in the post - but the hard drive had not been found where it had been expected to be, in the "security facility" in Iowa.She said the details were not sent in the post - but the hard drive had not been found where it had been expected to be, in the "security facility" in Iowa.
She said the information commission had judged the risks presented by the loss were not "substantial" as the details did not include bank account details, National Insurance numbers, driving licence numbers or dates of birth.She said the information commission had judged the risks presented by the loss were not "substantial" as the details did not include bank account details, National Insurance numbers, driving licence numbers or dates of birth.
MISSING DRIVERS' DETAILS NameAddressPhone numberFee paidTest centrePayment codeEmail where provided Analysis: Testing times for PM
But she apologised for anyone for any "uncertainty or concern" caused to anyone whose details might have been included - who took a driving theory test between September 2004 and April 2007.But she apologised for anyone for any "uncertainty or concern" caused to anyone whose details might have been included - who took a driving theory test between September 2004 and April 2007.
Responsibility for systemic failure does not lie with junior staff - it lies at the very top Philip HammondConservatives An advice line has been set up by the DSA for those candidates who might have concerns.
However her Tory shadow Theresa Villiers said the government was failing in its duty to obey its own laws on data security and said it was further evidence of a "systemic failure" by the government in handling people's private data.However her Tory shadow Theresa Villiers said the government was failing in its duty to obey its own laws on data security and said it was further evidence of a "systemic failure" by the government in handling people's private data.
The statement followed straight on the Commons from Chancellor Alistair Darling's presentation of an interim report by Kieran Poynter, UK chairman at PriceWaterhouseCoopers into the loss of the child benefit data by Revenue and Customs in October. The statement followed straight on from Chancellor Alistair Darling's presentation of an interim report by Kieran Poynter, UK chairman at PriceWaterhouseCoopers, into the loss of the child benefit data by Revenue and Customs in October.
Mr Darling said Mr Poynter's review had prioritised the immediate security measures that were needed at HMRC. Searches ending
Bulk data ban Mr Darling said there was still no evidence of any fraud from the loss of the two discs containing names, dates of birth, bank and address details. But police searches for the discs were "coming to a close".
And he said there was still no evidence of any fraud from the loss of the two discs in October - containing names, dates of birth, bank and address details. And he said Mr Poynter's review had prioritised the immediate security measures that were needed at HMRC.
Among measures were banning the transfer of "bulk data" without certain security measures, and disabling lap tops to stop information being downloaded without the permission of a senior manager. Responsibility for systemic failure does not lie with junior staff - it lies at the very top Philip HammondConservatives
Among them were banning the transfer of "bulk data" without certain security measures, and disabling lap tops to stop information being downloaded without the permission of a senior manager.
But Mr Darling said it would be "wholly inappropriate" to draw final conclusions while more inquiries were being carried out. The full report is due "in the first half" of 2008, he said.But Mr Darling said it would be "wholly inappropriate" to draw final conclusions while more inquiries were being carried out. The full report is due "in the first half" of 2008, he said.
Philip Hammond, for the Conservatives, said it had been "the most catastrophic data security breach in British history" and criticised Mr Darling's early explanation that a junior official who had not followed the rules was responsible.Philip Hammond, for the Conservatives, said it had been "the most catastrophic data security breach in British history" and criticised Mr Darling's early explanation that a junior official who had not followed the rules was responsible.
'Disaster'
"Responsibility for systemic failure does not lie with junior staff - it lies at the very top," he said."Responsibility for systemic failure does not lie with junior staff - it lies at the very top," he said.
"In the face of the overwhelming scale of systemic failure behind this disaster, this statement can only be described as a wholly inadequate response from a wholly inadequate chancellor.""In the face of the overwhelming scale of systemic failure behind this disaster, this statement can only be described as a wholly inadequate response from a wholly inadequate chancellor."
Meanwhile, a capability review of HM Revenue and Customs found that "the senior leadership has not been successful in injecting pace, confidence and dynamism throughout the department".Meanwhile, a capability review of HM Revenue and Customs found that "the senior leadership has not been successful in injecting pace, confidence and dynamism throughout the department".
The top team "has more to do to demonstrate that it can take the tough decisions required to set priorities and to bring about organisational clarity".The top team "has more to do to demonstrate that it can take the tough decisions required to set priorities and to bring about organisational clarity".
It also needed "a robust plan" to "resolve staff uncertainty" and be clear about what HMRC will look like in the future.It also needed "a robust plan" to "resolve staff uncertainty" and be clear about what HMRC will look like in the future.
A capability review of the Treasury found the department was "not driving change with sufficient passion and pace".A capability review of the Treasury found the department was "not driving change with sufficient passion and pace".
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