§ Mr. HoyleTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the possibility of introducing identity cards in the UK. [92015]
§ Beverley HughesMy right hon. Friend the Home Secretary launched a consultation exercise on 3 July 2002, with the publication of a consultation paper on Entitlement Cards and Identity Fraud.Official Report, columns 227–42.
There are strongly held views on all sides of the debate on entitlement or identity cards. The Government have made it clear that the introduction of an entitlement card would be a major step and that we would not proceed without consulting widely and considering all the views expressed very carefully.
The consultation period will last until 31 January 2003 after which, the Government will assess and evaluate all the responses received before reaching a conclusion.