UK Parliamentary Committee Releases Report Damning ID System

30/07/2004

In a report released today, a parliamentary committee concludes that objections should not be lightly dismissed and that the proposed scheme to introduce biometric identity cards will 'represent a significant change in the relationships between the state and the individual in this country.'

Suprisingly, the Committee chair John Denham this morning commented on BBC Radio 4 that the majority of the committee supports ID cards; despite the entire report damning the entire project. Two members of the committee went so far as to issue a separate opinion, disagreeing with the need for ID cards whatsoever. Denham's conclusion sounds like party politics: fearing to come out against a proposal coming from the Home Secretary, the Committee can do its job by listening and analysing and criticising proposals so long as they do not ever say "we don't see the need" in clear words.

Meanwhile, the Committee does complain that this will lead to a national fingerprint register, that biometrics are not a stable technology, the costings are problematic, the proliferation of large-scale databases and card systems, a lack of clarifty and definition on key elements of the scheme and its future operation, that government powers allow wider access to personal information than is justified by the fight against crime and terrorism, amongst other concerns.

The analysis and the conclusions do not match, unless you consider party politics.

Privacy International concludes that at best the ID system will be a significant waste of time, energy, and money. At worst, we agree with the Committee -- it will 'represent a significant change in the relationships between the state and the individual in this country'.

Related:
UK ID Cards Home Page
ID Cards Home Page