§ Lord Mason of Barnsley asked Her Majesty's Government:
§ What progress, if any, they are making with the introduction of a nationwide proof of age card designed to help curb under age drinking and the illegal purchase of tobacco and alcohol; and [HL4559]
§ Whether any pilot schemes are planned to assess the effectiveness of a proof of age card designed to curb under-age drinking and smoking; and, if so, where. [HL4558]
§ Lord Bassam of BrightonWe have no plans to introduce a national proof of age card and so no plans to pilot one. But we are looking at the possibility of incorporating a proof of age function in the proposed Connexions card; and we support the use of industry-based credible proof of age cards such as the Portman Card and Citizen Card, which are already widely available across the country.