PLANS for a giant database to hold details of every phone call and email sent in Britain will be considered by ministers.

The information would be passed to the government by internet service providers and telephone companies, a newspaper has reported.

The plans are being considered for inclusion in the draft Communications Bill to be published later this year, the Home Office confirmed.

Ministers are yet to see the plans, which have been drawn up by Home Office officials, but they are likely to provoke outrage from data protection and civil liberty campaigners and raise objections to the rise of a `Big Brother' state.

Lib Dem home affairs spokesman Chris Huhne said: "This is an Orwellian step too far.

"Ministers have taken leave of their senses if they think that this proposal is compatible with a free country and a free people.

"Given the appalling track record of data loss, this state is simply not to be trusted with such private information."

A Home Office spokesman said powers to hold information were subject to strict safeguards.

He said: "Communications data - the who, how, when and where of a communication but not the what (content) of the communication - is a crucial tool for protecting national security, preventing and detecting crime and protecting the public.

"The Communications Data Bill will help ensure that crucial capabilities in the use of communications data for counter-terrorism and investigation of crime continue to be available.

"These powers will continue to be subject to strict safeguards to ensure the right balance between privacy and protecting the public."

The government has been embarrassed by a string of data protection failures in recent months including the loss of a CD carrying the personal details of every child benefit claimant.