§ Mr. Webb:To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the implications for his Department of the introduction of compulsory identity cards. [142652]
§ Mr. Hutton:The introduction of such a scheme is a long-term undertaking and the Department will be involved in ongoing analysis of the benefits and costs. It is too early at present to assess fully the implications of the introduction of compulsory identity cards for the Department of Health.