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February 13, 2006
BBC's report on the UK ID cards
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4707608.stm
"MPs back ID cards passports plan
ID card
The ID Cards Bill suffered a number of defeats in the Lords
Ministers have won a Commons vote making it compulsory for people to be given ID cards - and put on a register - when they apply for passports.
The plans, rejected by peers last month, will now go back before the House of Lords.
Earlier on Monday, MPs approved a measure requiring new legislation before ID cards are made compulsory.
The government compromise plan, put forward to avoid a Labour backbench rebellion, was passed without a vote.
Tony Blair was not able to attend after his plane was grounded by engine troubles in South Africa.
Civil liberties
MPs passed backed putting passport applicants after 2008 on the ID cards register by a majority of 31.
They voted by a majority of 51 to ensure all applicants are given cards.
Critics have concerns about the cost and civil liberty implications of the bill.
Further debate about the expenditure on cards is under way in the Commons, with a series of votes expected to last until 2200 GMT.
I think we've won the argument on it
Tony Blair
Q&A: ID card plans
Interview: Info commissioner
ID cards: Your views
If the bill becomes law, everyone who gets a passport will have to get an ID card - something described as "creeping compulsion" by opponents.
Mr Blair told the BBC: "I think we've won the argument on it.
"People have this idea that there's a problem in civil liberties with people having an identity card and an identity registered today when across all walks of our life this is happening.
"And with the real problems people have today with identity fraud, which is a major, major issue; illegal immigration; organised crime: it's just the sensible thing to do."
Defeats
Chancellor Gordon Brown said ID cards would help tackle terrorists and criminals using stolen identities and prevent identity fraud, which, he said, cost Britain £1.7bn a year.
Last month, peers voted for the scheme not to go ahead until the full costs were known and for more security provisions for stored personal data.
Home Secretary Charles Clarke had said a stand-alone ID card would cost £30, and one linked to a passport would cost £93.
However, that figure has been disputed, most notably by a London School of Economics report estimating the cards could cost up to £300 each.
Shadow home secretary David Davis described the scheme as one of "creeping compulsion".
Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Alistair Carmichael said government plans were "conflating lots of issues".
Before the debate got under way about 70 people were at a protest outside Parliament involving members of civil rights group Liberty and the No2ID pressure group."
Posted by msantram at February 13, 2006 03:00 PM
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