Findings awaited on data loss

Kieran Poynter, the chairman of PricewaterhouseCoopers, was brought in to mount an inquiry following the disclosure that two computer discs containing HMRC's entire child benefit database - with the personal details of 25 million people - had gone missing.

It is expected that his interim report, to be published by Chancellor Alistair Darling, will set out what he has learned so far about the loss as well as any immediate changes he has advised HMRC to make.

Meanwhile, the Department for Transport (DfT) has refused to comment on a report that Secretary of State Ruth Kelly is preparing to make a statement on a serious data loss involving the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) at Swansea.

Only last week it was disclosed that two discs with details of more than 7,000 motorists had gone missing in the post between the Northern Ireland Driver and Vehicle Agency in Coleraine, Co Londonderry, and the DVLA.

A DfT spokeswoman refused to be drawn on a Sunday Times report that an even more serious loss has now been uncovered.

She suggested, however, that any further loss was "historical" and was connected to a Whitehall-wide review of data security led by the Cabinet Secretary Sir Gus O'Donnell.

"The department's procedures for the storage and use of data are being considered as part of the Cabinet Secretary's review of data protection across Government," she said.

Shadow transport secretary Theresa Villiers called on Ms Kelly to clear up the situation. "The rumours of yet another breach of confidentiality will further undermine people's confidence in the basic competence of Mr Brown and his Government," she said.

"I want Ms Kelly to come to Parliament at the earliest possible opportunity to answer questions about what has happened and provide reassurance to drivers anxious about use of their details by fraudsters."