Identity Cards

EDM number 213 in 2004-05, proposed by Austin Mitchell on 29/11/2004.

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.

This motion has been signed by a total of 49 MPs, 1 of these signatures have been withdrawn.