London: British Prime Minister Gordon Brown faced angry questions from lawmakers today after confidential records containing nearly half the population's bank details went missing in the post.

The disappearance of some 25 million people's personal data, virtually every family with children aged under 16, likely including Brown's own, vanished in the biggest-ever loss of personal information by any government.

Finance Minister Alistair Darling was already under pressure over his handling of the crisis surrounding troubled bank Northern Rock, and is now fighting for his political future following the latest embarrassment.

But the incident is also uncomfortable for Brown who, as Finance Minister under Tony Blair, prided himself on restoring his Labour Party's reputation for economic competence and oversaw the creation of HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), the body responsible for the loss.

The loss was expected to dominate Brown's weekly Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs) session with lawmakers in the House of Commons at midday. Two password-protected compact discs containing the names, addresses, dates of birth and bank account details of millions went missing after a junior official, who failed to post them recorded delivery, sent them to auditors.

After telling a stunned House of Commons about the blunder, which happened on October 18, a penitent Darling, whose previous reputation for quiet competence has now crumbled, did the rounds of morning television and radio.

"This is deeply regrettable," he told BBC television. "I apologise unreservedly to people for the anxiety that has been caused."

Source : PTI