42. Lieut.-Commander Hutchisonasked the Minister of Health if it is intended to retain identity cards permanently.
§ The Minister of Health (Mr. Aneurin Bevan)The cards are an essential part of the National Registration system, which renders valuable services in connection with food and clothes rationing and in other ways; they must be retained so long as they are of use.
Lieut.-Commander HutchisonDoes the Minister recollect that three years ago in this House he himself expressed his distaste for these cards and will he consider their abolition as soon as possible?
§ Mr. BevanThe hon. and gallant Member will recall also that I have made a number of orders taking away most of the unpleasant features of the card system.
§ Mr. RentonIs the Minister aware that national identity cards have one number and insurance cards have another number and, bearing in mind that so many members of the community are covered by both, will be consider the possibility of co-operating with his right hon. Friend to ensure that each member of the community has to think of only one number?
§ Mr. BevanI cannot, offhand, see where the advantage would be, but I do see how it could easily happen that the two cards would have different numbers.