Identity Cards Bill

I certainly do not accept the latter point, although George Orwell—also known as Mr. Blair—is one of my favourite authors, so I am with the hon. Gentleman at that level. [Interruption.] Eric Blair, I think hon. Members will find. However, the hon. Gentleman’s general point that the key elements of the secondary phase—that is, compulsion—remain in the Bill is entirely fair. The point that he makes within the confines of the debate and these Lords amendments is entirely right: none of them goes to the substance or principle of voluntary, compulsory or any other form of ID card scheme. The debate is only on the narrow ground of whether there should be a super-affirmative procedure in both Houses or primary legislation. I think that everyone at both ends of this place accepts the premise that the step-up to compulsion is of sufficient seriousness to demand a vote in both Houses. We are discussing the technique and process rather than the substance.