Where does the buck stop?

5.42.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 21st Nov 2007

Gordon Brown created 'dysfunctional' systems - Vince Cable MP

Acting Liberal Democrat leader Vince Cable has urged ministers to say where "the buck stops" over the loss of 25 million child benefit records. He told the Commons that HM Customs and Revenue chairman Paul Gray had resigned as a "matter of honour" but ministers had "declined to do so". He accused Gordon Brown of creating "dysfunctional organisation and systems" when chancellor.

Mr Cable asked why people should have "confidence" in government assurances. Information, including bank details of 7.25 million families, had been sent on discs to the National Audit office by unrecorded delivery. The discs had never arrived at their destination.

Mr Cable said: "The Treasury and its agencies have replaced the Home Office as the department in government which is most 'unfit for purpose'. "It was the prime minister who created the dysfunctional organisation and systems which the chancellor inherited. After a similar breach in September, the HMRC announced that they had reviewed their arrangements and introduced safeguards to prevent this happening. Why should people have any more confidence in these most recent assurances?"

He added: "Why does HMRC still use CDs for data transmission in this day and age? The ancient museum pieces it is currently using for computing must be replaced."

Mr Cable also said: "One senior official, Sir Paul Gray, has now resigned as a matter of honour. Treasury ministers decline to do so. Where does the buck stop in this government?"