Britain's information watchdog criticised today plans for a massive Government database holding details of every phone call and e-mail and the time spent on the internet by the public as a step too far.

Richard Thomas gave warning that plans being discussed by the Home Office as part of a forthcoming legislation on data communications would raise serious data protection concerns for the entire population.

Mr Thomas, the Information Commissioner, said:"There needs to be the fullest public debate about the justification for, and implications of, a specially created database, potentially accessible to a wide range of law enforcement authorities, holding details of everyone's telephone and internet communications. Do we really want the police, security services and other organs of the state to have access to more and more aspects of our private lives?"

Internet service providers (ISPs) and telecoms companies would have to hand over their communication records to the Home Office under the plans being drawn up as part of the fight against crime and terrorism.

The information would be held for at least 12 months and the police and security services would be able to access it if given permission by the courts.

The proposal being prepared for a data communication Bill to be in the Queen's Speech in December was first disclosed in The Times in May. Critics expressed concern about the Government's ability to manage a system holding billions of records. About 57 billion text messages were sent in Britain last year while an estimated 3 million e-mails are sent every day.

Mr Thomas, who issued his warning as he published his annual report, said that the targeted and authorised interception of the communications of suspects could be invaluable in the fight against terrorism and other serious crime.

But he said there had not been sufficient parliamentary and proper debate on proposals to collect more and more personal information, including the expansion of the DNA database and the centralised collection and retention of data from automatic number plate recognition cameras.

"Before major new databases are launched, careful consideration must be given to the impact on individuals' liberties and on society as a whole. Sadly, there have been too many developments where there has not been sufficient openness, transparency or public debate", Mr Thomas said.

The plan for a Government database holding communications information has emerged as part of plans to implement an EU directive developed after the July 7 bombings to bring uniformity of record keeping.

Since last October, telecoms companies have been required to keep records of phone calls and text messages for 12 months. That requirement is to be extended to internet, e-mail and voice-over internet use in a Communications Data Bill.

Rather that individual companies holding the information (which does not include the content of mobile phone calls or e-mails) officials in the Home Office are suggesting the records be handed over to the Government and stored on a huge database.

One argument being put forward in favour of the plan is that it would make it simpler and swifter for law enforcement agencies to retrieve information instead of having to approach hundreds of service providers.

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