To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what standard procedure is used at HM Revenue and Customs for the transportation of personal information outside secure offices; (168463)

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.

The full terms of reference for that review are available on the HM Treasury website at:

http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/newsroom_and_speeches/press/2007/press_133_07.cfm

and a copy has been placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how CDs are identified as carrying secure personal information by HM Revenue and Customs. (168466)

The location of the missing data discs is the subject of an ongoing police investigation. On 20 November, the Chancellor announced an independent review of HMRC’s security processes and procedures for data handling, to be conducted by Kieran Poynter, the chair of PricewaterhouseCoopers.

The full terms of reference for that review are available on the HM Treasury website at:

http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/newsroom_and_speeches/press/2007/press_133_07.cfm

and a copy has been placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) have dispatched discs containing confidential data to solicitors dealing with HMRC prosecutions in the same package as the access password over the last three years. (169102)

It would be inappropriate to comment on this issue as there is an ongoing police investigation.

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.

The full terms of reference for that review are available on the HM Treasury website at:

<http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/newsroom_and_speeches/press/2007/press_133_07.cfm>

and a copy has been placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of security measures taken by HM Revenue and Customs in respect of the transportation of discs containing (a) confidential and (b) personal data. (169103)

The loss of the discs is subject to an ongoing Police investigation and it would be inappropriate to comment further.

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.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the cost of removing the data which was not required by the National Audit Office from the discs that recently went missing from HM Revenue and Customs. (169766)

I refer the hon. Member to the statement given in the House by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 20 November 2007, Official Report, columns 1101-04.

On 20 November, the Chancellor announced an independent review of HMRC's data handling procedures to be conducted by Kieran Poynter, chair of PricewaterhouseCoopers.

The full terms of reference for that review are available on the HM Treasury website at: http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/newsroom_and_speeches/press/2007/press_133_07.cfm and a copy has been placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what systems HM Revenue and Customs has in place to track deliveries placed with mail carriers. (169891)

[holding answer 3 December 2007]: On 20 November 2007 the Chancellor announced an independent review of HMRC’s data handling procedures to be conducted by Kieran Poynter, the Chair of PricewaterhouseCoopers.

The full terms of reference for that review are available on the HM Treasury website at:

http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/newsroom_and_speeches/press/2007/press_133_07.cfm

and a copy has been placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what systems are in place within HM Revenue and Customs to flag up suspicious use of data by its employees; (173356)

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.

The full terms of reference for that review are available on the HM Treasury website at:

http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/newsroom_and_speeches/press/2007/press_133_07.cfm

and a copy has been placed in the Library of the House.