Identity Cards Bill

It is my view and that of the official Opposition that it is compulsion by stealth. Only about 20 per cent. of the population do not have a passport. If the measure is implemented in 2008, only 20 per cent. of a population of broadly 60 million will be relieved of compulsion except by primary legislation. We have not seen the legislation—for goodness’ sake, we have not even seen the secondary legislation that the Home Secretary wishes to apply. Numerically, 20 per cent. is a large number—