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Identity Cards: The Debate Hots Up

Yahoo! UK & Ireland News - Identity Cards: The Debate Hots Up

The Government is set to reveal details of its plans for compulsory identity cards, which it says will help tackle problems such as terrorism and illegal immigration.Controversially, the cards will include the use of biometric data such as fingerprints or iris scans to confirm the holder's identity.

The Prime Minister has given his strong personal backing to David Blunkett's £3bn proposals as a Bill introducing the controversial issue is published later today at Westminster.

Tony Blair argued at his monthly press conference that ID cards will help improve people's security and improve access public services.

He said ID cards were not a "silver bullet" to defeat terrorism but were an important weapon in the fight against terrorism and organised crime.

But the Identity Cards Bill is likely to receive a rough passage through Parliament.

The Liberal Democrats have voiced strong opposition to what they call the "deeply flawed" legislation, while the Conservatives also have strong misgivings.

Many Labour backbenchers are also believed to be uneasy about the impact of compulsory ID cards on civil liberties.

Lib Dem home affairs spokesman Mark Oaten has published figures showing that almost a quarter of a million passports are lost or stolen each year.

He warned of potential "chaos" if this rate of loss is repeated with ID cards, which holders will need to access vital benefits and most health treatment.

The plan is to introduce the cards in 2007-8 and for them to be made compulsory between 2010-2012.

November 29, 2004 at 09:17 PM in Smart Cards | Permalink | TrackBack (3) | Top of page | Blog Home