My Lords, that is true, but Government are there to provide sensitive management and to be challenged if there is a management failure. Clearly, with the loss of those discs, there has been a failure, as acknowledged by Government. On the more general issues, the overarching report to which I...

My Lords, that is true, but Government are there to provide sensitive management and to be challenged if there is a management failure. Clearly, with the loss of those discs, there has been a failure, as acknowledged by Government. On the more general issues, the overarching report to which I...

My Lords, we have been told before that the data were encrypted. That brings me to the heart of what the affair is all about—encryption. My question is very simple: will the encryption methods planned for use in departments in the future be tested by those who specialise in breaking...

My Lords, we have been told before that the data were encrypted. That brings me to the heart of what the affair is all about—encryption. My question is very simple: will the encryption methods planned for use in departments in the future be tested by those who specialise in breaking...

My Lords, I am grateful to the noble Lord for the qualification that he edges into on that information—namely, that communicated to the Information Commissioner—which at least identifies that he is concerned about areas of real security that are of concern to Government. We all recognise that in vast, complex...

My Lords, I am grateful to the noble Lord for the qualification that he edges into on that information—namely, that communicated to the Information Commissioner—which at least identifies that he is concerned about areas of real security that are of concern to Government. We all recognise that in vast, complex...

My Lords, the Minister has understandably emphasised on several occasions the complexity of the situation. Perhaps I may try to make his life easier by asking two simple questions. The first question is for a number and the second question is for an undertaking. If his briefing does not enable...

My Lords, the Minister has understandably emphasised on several occasions the complexity of the situation. Perhaps I may try to make his life easier by asking two simple questions. The first question is for a number and the second question is for an undertaking. If his briefing does not enable...

My Lords, my noble friend raises an important and difficult issue. He will have learnt that the immediate emergency measures taken by the HMRC have been to introduce a plethora of passwords for entry into any one area of information. I cannot be absolutely categoric in response at this stage....

My Lords, my noble friend raises an important and difficult issue. He will have learnt that the immediate emergency measures taken by the HMRC have been to introduce a plethora of passwords for entry into any one area of information. I cannot be absolutely categoric in response at this stage....

My Lords, I first declare a small interest. Once upon a time, I was the Minister responsible for Customs and Excise, answerable for it to the House of Commons. It was a privilege to hold that office. In the context of a series of unfortunate lapses after the translation of...

My Lords, I first declare a small interest. Once upon a time, I was the Minister responsible for Customs and Excise, answerable for it to the House of Commons. It was a privilege to hold that office. In the context of a series of unfortunate lapses after the translation of...

Lords statement on the loss of child benefit records at Revenue and Customs.

Lords statement on the loss of child benefit records at Revenue and Customs.

My Lords, of course Ministers are answerable to Parliament. I am grateful that the noble Viscount expressed the point in such a courteous way. He will appreciate that in circumstances where we had both a police investigation going on and an interim report being prepared for presentation to another place...

My Lords, of course Ministers are answerable to Parliament. I am grateful that the noble Viscount expressed the point in such a courteous way. He will appreciate that in circumstances where we had both a police investigation going on and an interim report being prepared for presentation to another place...

My Lords, I beg leave to repeat a Statement made by my right honourable friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in another place. The Statement is as follows: ““Mr Speaker, with your permission I should like to make a Statement on the progress report by Kieran Poynter, chairman and senior...

My Lords, I beg leave to repeat a Statement made by my right honourable friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in another place. The Statement is as follows: ““Mr Speaker, with your permission I should like to make a Statement on the progress report by Kieran Poynter, chairman and senior...

My Lords, I thank the Minister for repeating the Chancellor’s Statement. I agree with the noble Baroness, Lady Noakes, that he must be extremely grateful that this is the last time this year that he has to appear before your Lordships’ House to make such a Statement. I am sure...

My Lords, I thank the Minister for repeating the Chancellor’s Statement. I agree with the noble Baroness, Lady Noakes, that he must be extremely grateful that this is the last time this year that he has to appear before your Lordships’ House to make such a Statement. I am sure...

My Lords, I thank the Minister for repeating the Statement made by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in another place. The Minister must be very grateful that there is only one more day until the Christmas Recess and that this is probably the last time that he has to appear...

My Lords, I thank the Minister for repeating the Statement made by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in another place. The Minister must be very grateful that there is only one more day until the Christmas Recess and that this is probably the last time that he has to appear...

My Lords, I am grateful to the Minister for repeating the Statement. When this issue first came to light in early November I tabled a number of Questions for Written Answer. The Minister kindly replied to them last week. In doing so, he jumbled the five Questions together in one...

My Lords, I am grateful to the Minister for repeating the Statement. When this issue first came to light in early November I tabled a number of Questions for Written Answer. The Minister kindly replied to them last week. In doing so, he jumbled the five Questions together in one...

My Lords, I am grateful to both noble Lords for their contributions and for their seasonal good wishes, which I reciprocate in the terms in which they presented them to me. I hope they recover from their trials and tribulations ready for next year. With regard to the interim review,...

My Lords, I am grateful to both noble Lords for their contributions and for their seasonal good wishes, which I reciprocate in the terms in which they presented them to me. I hope they recover from their trials and tribulations ready for next year. With regard to the interim review,...

I thank the Leader of the House for giving us the future business. I should like to join her in wishing you, Mr. Speaker, all the staff in the House who provide us with support and all right hon. and hon. Members a very merry Christmas and a happy new...

I thank the Leader of the House for giving us the future business. I should like to join her in wishing you, Mr. Speaker, all the staff in the House who provide us with support and all right hon. and hon. Members a very merry Christmas and a happy new...

The right hon. Lady mentioned the debate on the armed forces on Thursday 10 January, and the topical debate on the same day. I would say two things in response. First, she supported the introduction of topical debates, as did the whole House. I believe that they are going to...

The right hon. Lady mentioned the debate on the armed forces on Thursday 10 January, and the topical debate on the same day. I would say two things in response. First, she supported the introduction of topical debates, as did the whole House. I believe that they are going to...

Will the Minister acknowledge that the continued closure of post offices, particularly in rural areas such as those in my constituency, will only exacerbate the problem of financial exclusion, particularly for elderly people?

Will the Minister acknowledge that the continued closure of post offices, particularly in rural areas such as those in my constituency, will only exacerbate the problem of financial exclusion, particularly for elderly people?

Topical debate on financial services for low-income families.

Topical debate on financial services for low-income families.

I am aware of the scheme and I commend the work of the Post Office in that regard and the efforts of my hon. Friend. That is just one example of how the Post Office is able to use its trusted brand—it is often particularly trusted at the lower ends...

I am aware of the scheme and I commend the work of the Post Office in that regard and the efforts of my hon. Friend. That is just one example of how the Post Office is able to use its trusted brand—it is often particularly trusted at the lower ends...

Is my hon. Friend aware that the Post Office has just introduced a new Christmas savings scheme, which will be targeted at low-income families? It intends to introduce the scheme shortly after this Christmas, in time for next Christmas. I am seeing representatives of the Post Office on Monday to...

Is my hon. Friend aware that the Post Office has just introduced a new Christmas savings scheme, which will be targeted at low-income families? It intends to introduce the scheme shortly after this Christmas, in time for next Christmas. I am seeing representatives of the Post Office on Monday to...

I am not sure whether the hon. Gentleman listened to my response to the hon. Member for Angus (Mr. Weir). I do not accept that financial exclusion will be made worse. The Government have tried every single avenue to ensure that avoidable closures in rural areas are indeed avoided, with...

I am not sure whether the hon. Gentleman listened to my response to the hon. Member for Angus (Mr. Weir). I do not accept that financial exclusion will be made worse. The Government have tried every single avenue to ensure that avoidable closures in rural areas are indeed avoided, with...