HC Deb 05 February 2002 vol 379 cc867-8W
Mr. George Howarth

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the cost of introducing a national identity card. [32078]

Mr. Blunkett

I have made no estimate of the cost of introducing a national identity card.

The Government are considering whether a universal card which allowed people to prove their identity more easily and provided a simple way to access a range of public services would be beneficial. Such an entitlement card scheme could also help to combat illegal working and could reduce fraud against individuals, public services and the private sector.

In reply to another question from my hon. Friend today, I have announced that the Government intend to publish a consultation paper in the spring or early summer. Work on the cost of an entitlement card scheme will be progressed in the run up to the publication of the consultation paper. This work is not yet sufficiently developed to make an estimate of costs.

Mr. George Howarth

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations he has received on a national identity card. [32077]

Mr. Blunkett

After the terrorist atrocities in the United States of America on 11 September, the issue of introducing an identity card scheme was raised by many people. I have received over 600 letters from right hon. and hon. Members and members of the public on identity cards since September 2001.

At the time the Government said that we were not planning to introduce an identity card scheme as part of our response to the events of 11 September, but that the policy was being kept under review. We said that we were considering whether a universal entitlement card which would allow people to prove their identity more easily and provide a simple way to access public services would be beneficial. We also said that a scheme could help to combat illegal working and it could also reduce fraud against individuals, public services and the private sector.

We have made it clear that the introduction of an entitlement card would be a major step and that we will not proceed without consulting widely and considering all the views expressed very carefully.

There are many arguments—both philosophical and practical—for and against a scheme. One of the options which the Government have already ruled out is making the failure to carry an entitlement card an offence. However there are a range of other issues to explore and we intend to publish a consultation paper in the spring or early summer. This will cover the whole issue of identity fraud and a range of possible responses in the short, medium and long-term including the advantages and disadvantages of an entitlement card scheme—but also other measures which might be taken to improve the security of existing forms of identification issued by the Government.

In order to ensure that the paper will be balanced and comprehensive and present to the public as full a picture as possible, the Government wish to discuss its emerging ideas with interested parties prior to publication.