HC Deb 04 March 2004 vol 418 cc1141-2W
Mrs. Curtis-Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will commission an independent analysis to evaluate the various hypotheses about the effects of introducing identity cards. [157033]

Beverley Hughes

The Government does not propose to commission such an analysis. It has conducted a lengthy consultation exercise on different options for implementing an identity cards scheme, my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary set out the benefits of an identity cards scheme in his statement to the House on 11 November 2003 and his publication 'Identity Cards: The Next Steps' (CMD 6020) and we have announced that there will be a further opportunity for consultation when the draft Bill is published.

Mrs. Curtis-Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the option of introducing an identity card system with no central register. [157035]

Beverley Hughes

An identity card scheme without a central register would have less protection against people establishing multiple identities than one where there was a single, highly verified record of identity.

Mrs. Curtis-Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures will be in place under the current identity card proposals to ensure the trustworthiness of the staff operating(a) the identity database system and (b) other databases that include the ID number. [157037]

Beverley Hughes

The Government will build on the arrangements which are already in place for administering personal databases such as those adopted by the UK Passport Service.