§ 14. Mr. Scott-Hopkinsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will take steps to introduce a system of identity cards similar to those in use in many European countries.
§ Mr. SharplesNo, Sir.
§ Mr. Scott-HopkinsWill my hon. Friend think again about this? Surely it would be of great advantage to introduce a system of identity cards whereby the ordinary citizen could be recognised and identified with the minimum amount of trouble. The cost would be very small.
§ Mr. SharplesI seem to remember having to carry an identity card at one stage, and I also remember how extremely unpopular it was.
§ Mr. CrawshawIs not the cursory dismissal of this suggestion inconsistent with the Government's wish to go on to make second-rate citizens of immigrants by requiring them to register with the police, when there seems to be something derogatory in merely carrying an identity card?
§ Mr. SharplesI do not accept that at all. The Bill at present being considered in Committee does not alter the status of those people who are already here.
§ Mr. MartenAs Britain never has been and never will be part of Continental Europe, will the Government continue to resist the odious form of suggestion in the Question, particularly in terms of identity cards and matters like metrication?
§ Mr. SharplesWhile I do not necessarily accept my hon. Friend's premise, I agree with the latter part of his question.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesIs the hon. Gentleman saying, returning to the point raised by my hon. Friend the Member for Liverpool, Toxteth (Mr. Crawshaw), that, under the new Immigration Bill, some of our citizens will not have to carry identification documents around with them?
§ Mr. SharplesThey will not have to carry identification documents around with them, in the same way as an alien today does not have to carry an identification document with him.