§ Mr. FavellTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many national insurance numbercards have been issued since their launch in 1984; how many national insurance numberholders have these plastic cards and how many do not; what representations he has received since their issue on the implications of the cards for civil liberties; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter LloydAbout 7 million numbercards have been issued since 8 January 1984. Some of these were reissued cards to replace lost cards or those where the contributor's name had changed. We do not know how many of the estimated 21.5 million national insurance contributors currently have number cards.
In 1984 when the card was first issued concern was expressed, but few representations have been received since. The card is merely a durable reminder to a person of his national insurance number, containing only his name and that number. It is not an identity document.
§ Mr. FavellTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what information is currently stored on the memory strip of the national insurance numbercard; and what free space exists for further information.
§ Mr. Peter LloydThe magnetic strip on the back of the national insurance numbercard contains three tracks. Each is capable of recording 79 characters. The only information currently recorded is that shown on the front of the card, that is the holder's name, nine character national insurance number and the two character check code. The free space remaining on the magnetic strip depends on the number of characters in the cardholder's name. There are no proposals to include any further information on the magnetic strip.