HC Deb 04 July 1991 vol 194 c207W
22. Sir John Hunt

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent consideration he has given to the introduction of identity cards for the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. John Patten

In its report on practical police co-operation in the EC, the Home Affairs Committee recommended the introduction of a voluntary system of identity cards. In responding in January 1991, the Government said that the public demand for a voluntary identity card, and the benefits it would confer on the community, would not be commensurate with the high cost of developing and maintaining such a system. None the less, I shall continue to keep this question under review in the light of relevant developments.