§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list those purposes for which his Department and its executive agencies require a birth certificate to be furnished by (i) employees, contractors or those applying for employment of contracts, and (ii) other persons. [85823]
§ Ms HewittEach of the Chancellor's departments and agencies (HM Treasury, HM Customs and Excise, Inland Revenue, National Savings, Office for National Statistics, Royal Mint, Government Actuary, Debt Management Office and Valuation Office Agency) requires, as part of the Basic Check on new employees, some evidence of identity, age (for pensions purposes), and of the right to work in the UK. Such evidence depends upon whether or not the applicant is a UK or EC national but might be provided from a combination of different documents including a full British passport, P45, valid British driving licence, birth certificate, proof of residence at a given address, etc., or (where relevant) a full EC or other national passport; an identity card issued by an EC country; or other proof of immigration status and/or the right to work. Employees are also required to produce their birth certificate when undergoing Developed Vetting procedures (required when they will have constant access to Top Secret information and assets). Most departments also require contractors to make checks similar to the Basic Check on their employees. Birth certificates, as a means of identity, are not required to be furnished by other persons.