Missing disc 'has details of 1.7m'

Opposition parties warned that the information contained on the drive represented "a potential goldmine for organised crime" and could even compromise national security.

When the loss of the disc from the premises of contractor EDS in Hook, Hampshire, was first announced last week, it was thought that it carried the names, addresses, passport numbers, dates of birth, next-of-kin and driving licence details of up to 100,000 Army, Navy and RAF personnel.

But armed forces minister Bob Ainsworth announced that further investigations had revealed it contained data relating to large numbers of people who asked for information about careers in the forces.

In a written statement to Parliament, he said: "Whilst conducting an audit of storage media, EDS found that it could not find a removable hard disc drive. Under the terms of its contract EDS is required to protect all personal information in its care.

"The hard drive had been used with the TAFMIS recruitment system and may, in the worst case, contain details relating to 1.7 million individuals who have enquired about joining the Armed Forces."

Where people simply made casual inquiries, only their name and contact numbers are likely to have been recorded, said Mr Ainsworth. But for those who went on to apply to join up, the drive could include more extensive data, including next of kin details, passport and National Insurance numbers, drivers' licence and bank details and NHS numbers. It was unlikely that the details on the hard drive were encrypted for security.

The minister said that the incident "illustrates the need continually to review and enhance our arrangements for personal data". An investigation has been launched by the MoD Police and a helpline has been set up for those who may have been affected, said Mr Ainsworth.

Meanwhile, a leading rail union has called for an urgent inquiry after a laptop containing personal details of 150,000 workers in the industry was stolen.

The computer was in a bag taken from an employee of Deloitte which until recently was the external auditor for rpmi, which administers railway pension schemes.