IDENTITY CARDS

Early day motion 213, tabled 29 November 2004 by Austin Mitchell (Labour). Signed by 48 members.

That this House believes the Government should reconsider its proposals for national identity; emphasises that it is essential to be clear on the specific uses for which the card is intended; believes that present proposals are catch-all purposes rather than practical possibilities since it is impossible to combine an identity card, an entitlement card, a passport, a weapon against terrorism, and a regulator of immigration and asylum; feels that the Government should specify whether it should carry information about rights to work, pensions, benefits or NHS treatments; regrets the Government's efforts to stampede support by using fears of terrorism and asylum seekers, neither of which could be controlled by it, and requires a fuller explanation of what biometric information the card will carry, how the information will be stored, checked, and read, and whether and when new technology will outdate information or methods; in light of recent debacles with Government computer projects, warns that the same expensive mistakes are likely on a much bigger scale with a national ID card; and therefore suggests that the Home Secretary should place the proposal in a deep Home Office drawer, rather than an overloaded Government in-tray.

Signatures by party: Liberal Democrat 26, Labour 16, Plaid Cymru 3, Conservative 1, Labour/Co-operative 1, Scottish National Party 1.