Identity Cards Bill

No; the process is a good deal less complex than that of the CSA, which faces intrinsic problems such as income assessment and deduction of earnings—I am sure that hon. Members do not want us to get into a detailed debate about that topic. Although the process must be repeated for millions of people, the inherent issues in national identity registration are simpler than those in the projects that have gone wrong. The Select Committee was right to press for separate legislation from the outset, because however well the Bill is scrutinised by us and the House of Lords, it is doubtful whether it will be perfect in six or seven years’ time. Even if this were not a Home Office Bill, it would inevitably require a certain amount of amendment, clarification and adjustment in due course. It would be ridiculous to update this Bill and have a separate super-affirmative resolution on the question of extending it to the final 20 to 25 per cent. of the population. The change is sensible, because it means that on the crucial step of extending the provision to a group of people who are more difficult to reach, Parliament will be able to take an entirely fresh look at the project’s strengths and weaknesses.