§ Mr. LetwinTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what work on development of an entitlement card, other than for asylum seekers, is being conducted in his Department; and what measures have been adopted to co-ordinate this work with the Department of Social Security. [40863]
§ Mr. Blunkett[holding answer 7 March 2002]: A small unit has been established in my Department to draft the consultation paper which I announced on 5 February 2002 and to manage the consultation exercise. Some of the detailed work on how a scheme might operate is being undertaken in partnership by the United Kingdom Passport Service and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency.
My officials are working closely with colleagues in a number of Government Departments including the Department for Work and Pensions which is represented on a group of senior officials chaired by the Cabinet Office which has overseen the work at official level.