§ Mr. MacDougallTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to introduce biometric tests with(a) passport applications and (b) other official documents. [118116]
§ Beverley HughesAs indicated in its 2003–08 Corporate and Business Plan the UK Passport Service (UKPS) is planning to include a computer chip in British passports storing a facial recognition biometric captured from photographs submitted with applications. This form of biometric deployment will be in line with international standards endorsed in May 2003 by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
Studies are also planned by the UKPS and DVLA into the use of fingerprints and iris scan biometrics. These studies will include trials of live capture of the biometric at personal interviews, which will be required, if these forms of biometric are deployed. Finger prints or iris scans could be included in passports, passport cards along side facial recognition and in driving licences.