HC Deb 26 January 2004 vol 417 cc211-4W
Mr. Sheerman

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the potential costs and benefits of identity cards in reducing automated fraud within Government departments; if he will make a statement on current levels of effectiveness in dealing with automated fraud within Government departments; and how his Department plans to ensure personal privacy once identity cards are introduced. [147447]

Beverley Hughes

The Cabinet Office Study on Identity Fraud (published in 2002) estimated the cost of identity fraud in a number of Government departments. According to the Study the main departments affected by identity fraud are Department of Health, Customs and Excise, Department for Work and Pensions and the Home Office—the amount lost in 2000–01 was estimated to be £681 million.

The incorporation of biometric information into identity documents, which was announced by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary in his statement on a national identity cards scheme, will provide a unique link between the identity document and the person to whom it is issued. This will allow Government departments who provide a public service to identify uniquely whom they are dealing with and therefore help to prevent losses caused by identity fraud.

Identity cards will also allow Government departments to prevent unauthorised access to services, an example would be claims to free non-emergency NHS treatment by people whose immigration status does not entitle them to this treatment.

The Home Office has recently established a cross public-private sector work programme to tackle identity theft and identity fraud. This programme is specifically examining: policy development (eg identify opportunities for combating identity fraud through data sharing or creating new criminal offences) developing and sharing good practice (eg improving the procedures for checking and issuing official documents such as passports and driving licences) scoping studies and potential pilots to identify new systems to counter identity fraud

In addition to this work, the Passport Service is piloting a system to conduct more background checks on passport applications. DVLA is working with the Passport Service and other Government Departments to raise the quality of its identity checks using good practice already identified elsewhere.

We have also looked at legislative changes to make identity theft or fraud easier to prosecute or to ensure that the penalties associated with fraudulent use of documents reflect their use in creating false, or stealing genuine, identities. The Criminal Justice Act 2003 changed the law to align the penalty associated with fraudulently obtaining a driving licence with that for fraudulently obtaining a passport and to make these offences arrestable. This will ensure consistency of approach during prosecution so that fraudulently obtaining either document will incur a maximum penalty of two years imprisonment, serving as a more effective deterrent and ensuring that neither document is considered a weak link in establishing a false identity.

We have also announced our intention to create a new offence relating to being in possession or control of false identity documents, without reasonable cause. This offence will provide the police with the means to disrupt the activities of organised criminals and terrorists at an earlier stage of their activities.

The Home Office and its Agencies take every reasonable action to identify fraudsters and pass on their details to the police for appropriate action.

We are satisfied that an identity cards scheme that complies with the Data Protection and Human Rights Act can be developed and implemented, just like other similar schemes operating currently in European countries.

"Identity Cards—The Next Steps" (Cm 6020), published in November 2003, by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary explained that the National Identity Register would only contain basic identity information such as name, address, date of birth, gender, immigration status and a confirmed biometric—and that this will be set out in statute. Organisations using the National Register to verify identity will not be able to get other personal information, for instance health or tax records, via the Register.

The police and other organisations will not have routine access to data stored on the National Register. However, there are strong arguments for giving them access to help fight serious crime and terrorism. Such access will be set out in statute and there will be independent(image not proper) oversight of the arrangements as there is at the present time. There will be no new power for the police to stop someone and demand to see their card.

Mrs. Curtis-Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the compulsory phase for the holding of an identity card will commence. [149206]

Beverley Hughes

In his announcement on 11 November 2003, my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary stated that the Government have decided to build a base for a compulsory identity cards scheme. We intend to proceed by incremental stages. When the conditions are right, the first stage phased roll-out will be followed by a move to a compulsory card scheme in which it would be compulsory to have a card, though not to carry it.

A final decision on a move to compulsion will require a full debate and a vote in both Houses of Parliament.

Mrs. Curtis-Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions his Department has had with representatives from other countries on the(a) benefits and (b) best practice in the introduction of identity cards; and what the outcome of those meetings was. [149207]

Beverley Hughes

Identity 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 and the Netherlands and lessons learned have informed the development of policy where appropriate.

In addition, comprehensive information has been supplied by each of the EU member states on the operation of their card schemes, including its introduction and the benefits associated with the card scheme. The results of this work comprise Annex 3 of "Entitlement Cards and Identity Fraud: A Consultation" (CM 5557) published in July 2002, and have since been updated.

Home Office officials will continue to work closely with colleagues in EU member states.

Mrs. Curtis-Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the cost per card of introducing identity cards; and what percentage of this each card-holding citizen will be expected to pay. [149208]

Beverley Hughes

In his announcement on 11 November 2003, my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary stated that the Government have decided to begin the process of introducing a national identity cards scheme.

Set up costs for the first three years have been estimated at £186 million. Costs thereafter will be covered by charges. It would not be appropriate to publish more detailed information than that set out in the Identity Cards—The Next Steps publication while we prepare options for procurement and implementation of the identity cards scheme. However, we are continuing to work with potential suppliers and partners to ensure estimates are accurate, realistic and deliverable.

Mrs. Curtis-Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether(a) private and (b) public companies will collect the biometric information necessary for the proposed identity card scheme. [149209]

Beverley Hughes

In his announcement on 11 November 2003, my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary stated that the Government have decided to begin the process of introducing a national identity cards scheme.

The first stage of the process will include close work across Government to develop effective technology, particularly on biometrics, and to introduce systems to ensure that biometric data can be collected, stored and used effectively. This includes a biometric pilot which is being run by the United Kingdom Passport Service to test the recording of face, iris and fingerprint biometric information.

It is too soon to make any decisions on the types of organisation which may collect biometric information.

Sarah Teather

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what assessment he has made of the implications of the introduction of identity cards for the common travel area between the UK and Ireland; [149931]

(2)when he next plans to meet Irish government officials to discuss the introduction of identity cards in the UK; [149932]

(3)what negotiations he has had with the Irish Government concerning the introduction of identity cards in the United Kingdom. [149933]

Beverley Hughes

There have been discussions with the Irish Government at both Ministerial and official level about those aspects of the introduction of identity cards which are of particular relevance of them, including the Common Travel Area. The Common Travel Area cover the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man as well as Ireland, and the UK and its operation affects everyone travelling within it, whatever their nationality. Routine immigration checks are not carried out on people travelling within the area. The Government's proposals for identity cards do not compromise the principle of the Common Travel Area. Discussions will continue with the Irish Government on those issues.