§ Mrs. Curtis-ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment the Government plans to conduct of the new Italian identity card scheme. [183909]
§ Mr. BrowneIdentity card schemes have existed in most EU countries for many years.
Home Office officials have had detailed discussions with colleagues involved in the operation of identity card schemes in Italy, Sweden, the Netherlands and Germany and lessons learned have informed the development of policy where appropriate.
Comprehensive information has been supplied by each of the EU member states on the operation of their card schemes. The results of this work comprise Annex 3 of "Entitlement Cards and Identity Fraud: A Consultation" (CM 5557) published in July 2002.
Home Office officials have met Italian counterparts on two occasions to discuss their experience on the design and implementation of identity cards schemes and we will continue to work closely with colleagues in EU member states.