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341/2002

9 December 2002

ENTITLEMENT CARDS CONSULTATION: HOME OFFICE MINISTER BEVERLEY HUGHES SEES LATEST TECHNOLOGY IN GLASGOW PASSPORT OFFICE

The latest technology to scan irises to help establish a person's identity more securely, was seen today by Home Office Minister, Beverley Hughes, at Glasgow's Passport Office as part of a UK-wide consultation on Entitlement Cards.

Photographing a person's iris and storing the picture on a card in a microchip is one of the "biometric" options proposed in the Government's consultation paper, Entitlement Cards and Identity Fraud, published in July.

The consultation, which runs until 31 January, aims to assess whether the public would find an entitlement card helpful in accessing services, and would be effective in tackling illegal immigration. The paper sets out practical options for an entitlement card, including using existing photocard driving licences and UK passports to avoid
duplication of existing documents, and providing an 'entitlement card only'" for those who do not have a passport or a driving licence.

The Government has ruled out the option of a card which would be compulsory to carry or any changes to police powers.

Ms Hughes said:

"The Government has always said that the introduction of an
entitlement card would be a major step and that we will not proceed without consulting widely and considering all the views expressed very carefully. We are in the middle of a public consultation and I am glad that so many people - around 1,500 so far - have already sent in their comments to us.

"There are some very important issues and questions around
entitlement cards, on which we have started the public debate , for example does the public think that a card system would help to tackle illegal working and combat illegal immigration by reducing 'pull factors' by giving employers a straightforward way to check eligibility for work?

"Identity fraud is a growing problem, which costs the taxpayer £1.3 billion every year. I believe that there are real advantages in introducing a card which could guarantee and protect our identity.
But would the public find it useful to have a card which helped to establish their identity more securely , possibly using an iris scan?

"We need to hear from the public about what they really think to help us reach the right decision. We can only benefit from continuing to have an open and honest debate on these issues."

Other potential uses of an entitlement card detailed in the
consultation document are: a convenient travel card in Europe; a proof of age card; a way of tackling identity fraud; a card topromote new ways of voting; and a way of fostering citizenship.

Views will also be sought on important issues such as cost, privacy and duplication of existing documents.

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So let's give them our views!