National Identity Register

HC Deb 22 June 2004 vol 422 c1377W

Mrs. Curtis-Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the private sector will be charged for accessing the National Identity Register. [177921]

Mr. Browne

There is no question of public or private sector organisations' verification of cards giving them access to the contents of the National Identity Register or the details of the biometric. With the consent of the individual, checks will simply confirm identity and other relevant details. The draft Identity Cards Bill does provide a power for fees to be levied on organisations making such checks and other Government checking services do make charges. However, no final decisions for the identity cards scheme have yet been made.