Identity Cards Bill

AIM

This bill is to provide UK citizens with a secure and reliable form of identification, to limit false asylum-seekers and to facilitate the provision of welfare services to those eligible.

MAIN PROVISIONS

BILL'S PROGRESS Responsible department: Home Office Origin: House of Commons Introduced: 25 May 2005 Second reading: 28 June 2005 Committee stage: 5,7,19 & 21 July 2005 Remaining stages: 18 October 2005 Consideration of Lords amendments: 13 Feb, 13, 16, 21 & 29 March 2006 LORDS First reading: 19 October 2005 Second reading: 31 October 2005 Committee stage: 15,16 & 23 November 2005, 12 & 14 December 2005 Report stage: 16, 23 & 30 Jan 2006 Third reading: 6 Feb 2006 Consideration of Commons amendments: 6, 15, 20 & 28 March 2006 ROYAL ASSENT: 30 March 2006

Covers the whole of the UK, to establish a National Identity Register

Details of the content, issuing of and access to the cards and the information thereon

Creates the position of National Identity Scheme Commissioner and makes it a criminal offence to be in possession of someone else's, improperly obtained or false documents

Provides the powers to make registration for a card compulsory though it would not be compulsory to carry it

KEY VOTES

13 February 2006
Commons consideration of Lords Amendments

Plans to put people applying for passports on the ID cards register
Ayes: 310, Noes: 279

Plans to force people to get cards when they apply for passports
Ayes: 310, Noes: 259

Compromise of agreeing to new legislation before cards are made compulsory
Ayes: 314, Noes 261

6 March 2006
Lords consideration of Commons Amendments

Peers voted to insist on their amendments, making cards voluntary
Contents: 227, Not contents: 166

13 March 2006
Commons consideration of Lords Amendments

Commons voted to overturn Peers' amendments which make ID cards entirely voluntary
Ayes: 310, Noes: 277

15 March 2006
Lords consideration of Commons Amendments

Peers voted to insist on their amendments, making cards voluntary
Contents: 218, Not contents: 18

16 March 2006
Commons consideration of Lords Amendments

Rejection of Lords amendments
Ayes: 292, Noes: 241

20 March 2006
Lords consideration of Commons Amendments

Peers voted for new Lib Dem amendment keeping ID cards voluntary until 2011, but compulsory from 2012
Contents: 211, Not contents: 175

21 March 2006
Commons consideration of Lords Amendments

MPs overturned Peers' amendment to keep ID cards voluntary until 2011
Ayes: 284, Noes: 241

BACKGROUND

The legislation was introduced in the last session as part of the government's attempt to combat terrorism, to prevent the use of false identities by terrorist and organised crime groups.

The proposals have attracted widespread criticism.

On ideological grounds there is a belief that people should not be beholden to the state in this way.

And practically there is a fear that it may become compulsory to carry the cards and ethnic minorities may be subject to more frequent checks than others.

The Conservatives were officially opposed to the scheme until Michael Howard declared himself in favour on 13 December - much to the chagrin of senior members of his shadow cabinet including Oliver Letwin.

The Liberal Democrats are firmly opposed to the bill.