The BBCi page has been updated:
"But for those who progressed as far as submitting an application to join the Forces, extensive personal data may be held, including passport details, National Insurance numbers, drivers' licence details, family details, doctors' addresses and National Health Service numbers."
"The MoD said it was writing to 3,500 people whose bank details were on the laptop's database."
The most surprising (and uncorroberated) quote is:
"Simon Davies, from pressure group Privacy International, told BBC News 24 he was "flabbergasted". "I cannot believe that our flagship security agency (what does he mean?) cannot get this right," Mr Davies said.
"The idea that someone could have the computer with the information unencrypted - it is on a par with the HMRC loss."
You do also have to ask what kind of data-management solution is designed to enable a laptop to contain so much key data. Why does it need to be on a laptop at all? Surely some/much of the info can be held on a server and viewed over a secure link when needed?