HC Deb 27 October 1997 vol 299 cc745-6W
Mr. Hancock

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from the Association of Convenience Stores concerning a proposal for mandatory identity cards for young people; what response he has given; and if he will make a statement. [12289]

Mr. George Howarth

The Association's chief executive wrote to my right hon. Friend on 27 May asking the Government to introduce compulsory identity cards to assist retailers in determining the age of customers. I discussed this proposal with representatives of the association at a meeting on 18 June.

I subsequently wrote to the chief executive on 17 July, sending him a copy of the statement issued that day by the ministerial group on alcopops, which set out the Government's position on identity cards in the context of the Government's initiative on alcohol misuse by young people.

The statement made clear that the Government are considering the issues raised by national identity cards, but that these go wider than questions relating to sales of products to those under age. In any event, the introduction of national identity cards would require legislation and would not represent a short-term solution to concerns about the sale of alcohol to young people.

The statement welcomed the commitment of the association and other retail and liquor industry interests to expanding the existing Portman Group proof of age card scheme to tackle sales of alcohol to the under-18s.

I have just received a further letter from the association, which I am considering.

Mr. Swayne

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to publish a consultation document regarding the introduction of an identity card scheme. [12844]

Mr. George Howarth

We have no present plans to issue such a document.