§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
What representations, if any, have been made by the Government of Eire about the proposal for identity cards in the United Kingdom, and through 85WA what channels; whether identity cards will be required in Northern Ireland as in the rest of the United Kingdom; whether identity cards will be for British citizens only or for those who are settled in the United Kingdom; and whether any group will be allowed on grounds of conscience or otherwise to opt out of the scheme. [HL731]
§ Baroness Scotland of AsthalOn 11 November my right honourable friend the Home Secretary announced the Government's decision to build a base for a compulsory national identity cards scheme, for all British citizens resident in the United Kingdom, including in Northern Ireland, and all foreign nationals resident in the United Kingdom for more than three months.
There have been contacts at both ministerial and official level between the UK and Irish Governments since this announcement was made.
The Government's announcement set out a two-stage approach to implementing a scheme. It would be compulsory to obtain a card only in the second stage which would require full debate and a vote in both Houses of Parliament following a rigorous evaluation of the first stage. A compulsory scheme would not allow for any group to opt out of its requirements.