PM Faces Committee Over Data Loss

The Prime Minister has been given a 'grilling' by an influential Parliamentary committee over his domestic and foreign policy - but with an emphasis on the domestic side - and on the lost Revenue and Customs data scandal in particular.

The PM was appearing for the first time before the 30-member Commons Liaison Committee, which quizzes prime ministers twice yearly.

During today's session, Mr Brown defended Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and specifically denied a "systemic" failure over the loss of two discs containing personal data on 25 million people.

Mr Brown said the loss of the two discs, containing information such as bank account details and National Insurance numbers, had not affected the work of the child benefit service they related to.

"One needs to separate the individual instance of rules not being followed and the general amalgamation of HMRC, which I think has very considerable benefits, particularly for benefits because it becomes a one-stop shop," he said.

Following the loss of the discs in the HMRC internal post, the Government appointed PricewaterhouseCoopers chairman Kieran Poynter to conduct a review, which is due to report back by Friday and Mr Brown indicated that Chancellor Alistair Darling will make a statement on its findings next week.

(BMcC)