Ministers in new data scandal

A hard drive missing from a "secure facility" in Iowa contained names, addresses, phone numbers and email addresses but not any financial data such as credit card or bank account numbers.

It is another huge embarrassment for the Government which was also forced to report that two computer discs containing sensitive information on 25 million people had still not been found.

Chancellor Alistair Darling gave a non-committal update to MPs on the Poynter Review into the missing child benefit database, saying its full conclusions would not be known until next year.

The latest security breach, which involved Pearson Driving Assessments Ltd, a private contractor to the Driving Standards Agency, was made known to the relevant minister in June.

But Ms Kelly said she did not become aware of the issue until an audit of her Department's security was carried out in the wake of the child benefit controversy.

The records contained the learner-driver's name, postal address, phone number, the test fee paid, their test centre, a code indicating how the test was paid for and an e-mail address, she told MPs.

But they did not feature bank account or credit card details, driving licence numbers, National Insurance numbers or dates of birth so individuals were not being informed.

Information Commissioner Richard Thomas advised her that the loss did not pose a "substantial risk", she said.

Her admission came after Mr Darling told MPs that there was little progress in the probe into the loss of the two child benefit discs, despite widespread police searches and the offer of a £20,000 reward for their return.