Privacy International

PUBLIC MEETING ON THE GOVERNMENT'S PROPOSED "ENTITLEMENT CARD"

Wednesday 11th December 2002
2.15 - 5.30

The Old Theatre, London School of Economics
Houghton Street
London WC2A 2AE

Organised by Privacy International
In association with Liberty & the Foundation for Information Policy Research

Hosted by the Department of Information Systems of the London School of Economics

In July, the Government announced a six-month public consultation on proposals to establish a compulsory national Identity Card to establish entitlement to benefits and services, including healthcare, welfare benefits, education and public housing. The consultation period ends in January. This event at the LSE will be the only public meeting during the consultation exercise.

The proposals involve issues of vital importance for everyone living in the UK. The government envisions a compulsory registration of the entire population, backed by a national database of "biometric" identifiers such as digital photographs, fingerprints and retina scans. The scheme will form the basis for the matching of personal information between government and private sector organisations, and will involve a legal requirement to produce the card in a wide variety of circumstances. Failure to disclose your card will result in denial of access to a wide range of essential services such as healthcare and education.

Schedule of Speakers (May slightly change)

2:30 Welcome and Introduction Simon Davies, Director of Privacy International (chair)

2.35 Lord Falconer of Thoroton, QC, Minister of State for criminal justice, sentencing and law reform

2.50 The Baroness Sharples (Conservative)

2:55 Simon Hughes, MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary

3.05 Dr Nick Palmer MP (Labour)

3.15 Charles Moore, Editor, The Daily Telegraph

3.25 Dr Ross Anderson, Computing Laboratory, Cambridge University

3.35 Q&A with the Minister and speakers

3.50 Summary of the key positions. Simon Davies

4.00 Peter Lilley MP, former Secretary of State for Social Security (Conservative)

4.10  Terri Dowty, Joint national coordinator, Alliance for Childrens Rights for England

4.20  Dr Clarence Lusane, Director of Social Research, The 1990 Trust

4.30 Q&A with Stephen Harrison, Head of the Entitlement Cards Unit, Home Office

5:15 Close

Admission to the meeting is free. To reserve a seat, please email london2002@privacy.org or call 0207 955 6579
Media enquiries to 07947 778 247

For more information about the Entitlement Card proposal, see the PI UK ID Card Page