To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the data disc was sent by HM Revenue and Customs to Standard Life containing details of personal pension contributions; when it was discovered to be lost; and when this loss was reported to Ministers. (171492)

[holding answer 6 December 2007]: The CD containing information for Standard Life left HMRC’s office on 25 September 2007. Standard Life should have received the disc by 27 September but reported that it had not arrived. The courier confirmed to HMRC that the CD was lost on 15 October. A submission on the incident was sent to the Financial Secretary on the same day.

HMRC then informed the Information Commissioner and wrote, with Standard Life, to all customers affected.