§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the officials and organisations involved in his review of whether a national identity card should be introduced; when this review is to be concluded; and if he will place briefing papers in the Library.
§ Mr. MacleanThe question of a national identity card scheme is kept under review. If it were decided to pursue the idea there would be a full consultation exercise.
§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the implications of the existence of identity cards elsewhere in the EC for the United Kingdom; and if identity cards are subject to subsidiarity rules.
§ Mr. MacleanThere is an obligation under Community law to recognise national identity cards of other member states which are issued for travel purposes. The concept of subsidiarity applies to proposals for Community legislation. There are no such proposals in respect of identity cards.