§ Mrs. Curtis-ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what the expected benefits to his Department would be of the proposed identity card; and what information would need to be recorded on the National Identity Register in order to achieve those benefits; [177872]
(2) what information would be necessary on the National Identity Register for the NHS to assess whether an individual should be paying for treatment; and what information he expects to be available to the NHS on the National Identity Register in order for the identity card scheme to achieve its health-related aims. [178893]
§ Mr. HuttonA more effective enforcement of the rules determining access to free national health service and social care services is crucial in ensuring that limited resources go to those for whom they are intended. The identity card will help front line staff to ensure that these rules are implemented by verifying that people are who they say they are and confirming information provided by individuals. Relevant information could include their nationality, United Kingdom address/es, residential status and how long ago they registered for an identity card. Final decisions on what information will be required and how any checks will work will be made in the light of the feasibility studies and studies of user requirements which are currently underway.