To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the cost of purchasing software that would enable all HM Revenue and Customs data to be encrypted. (171798)

On 20 November, the Chancellor announced an independent review of HMRC’s data handling procedures to be conducted by Kieran Poynter, the chair of PricewaterhouseCoopers. This will consider all aspects of data security. His interim report is expected to be received shortly.