§ Annabelle EwingTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate has been made of the costs of the introduction of identity cards to(a) the Government and (b) the individual holder of the card. [122360]
§ Beverley HughesThe consultation paper on entitlement cards and identity fraud provided a section on indicative cost assumptions. During the consultation period we have benefited from observations and comments received which have been helpful in contributing to further assessments of costs and the overall response to the consultation exercise.
There are a number of different ways in which a scheme could be devised. Further, more detailed, work is needed on contractual delivery arrangements as well as the level of benefits for different services and the charges needed to cover the costs.
The precise type of scheme would ultimately be a matter for Parliament to decide.