§ Mr. WatsonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had with the Spanish Government on proposals to introduce electronic identity cards in Spain. [166843]
§ Mr. BrowneIdentity card schemes have existed in all EU countries for many years, with the exception of Denmark and Ireland.
Home Office officials have had detailed discussions with colleagues involved in the operation of identity card schemes in Italy, Sweden, the Netherlands and Germany and lessons learned have informed the development of policy where appropriate. Before the outrages in Madrid, my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary discussed with the then Spanish Minister of the Interior his plans to upgrade identity cards in Spain. Comprehensive information has been supplied by each of the EU member states on the operation of their card schemes. The results of this work comprise Annex 3 of "Entitlement Cards and Identity Fraud: A Consultation" (CM 5557) published in July 2002.
Home Office officials will continue to work closely with colleagues in ED member stales to share experience on the design and implementation of identity card schemes.