§ Lord Mason of Barnsleyasked Her Majesty's Government:
What progress is being made towards the introduction of a national identity card scheme; which departments are involved; and which outside organisations are assisting in an advisory capacity.
§ Baroness BlatchOn 13 October, my right honourable friend the Home Secretary announced the Government's intention to publish a Green Paper in spring 1995. This will set out options for a national identity card scheme and will invite views on the issue. The Government will consider the introduction of a national identity card scheme in the light of the responses received.
In preparing the Green Paper, the Home Office will be consulting widely across government departments. Officials may seek advice from outside organisations which have a particular expertise or interest in identity cards if it is judged helpful to do so.