§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has any plans to introduce national identity cards; what contingency plans he has for the introduction of identity cards should the need arise; whether he plans to study the advantages of introducing a national identity card in future; whether he has any plans to explore the technological specification for a national identity card; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John PattenThe advantages and disadvantages of a compulsory system of identity cards were examined last year, when it was concluded that the former were outweighed by the latter. My right hon. and learned Friend accordingly has no plans to introduce such a system now, nor in any contingency which is at present foreseeable, and there would be no purpose in exploring the technological aspects of a compulsory card.