Written question asked by Jim Cunningham (Labour) on Thursday, 17 November 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 24 November 2005. It was answered by Andy Burnham (Labour) on Monday, 28 November 2005 on behalf of the Home Office.

Identity Cards

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how his Department plans to prevent the production of forged identity cards; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: The Identity Cards Scheme and the identity card itself, are being designed to prevent the successful production and use of forged identity cards.The identity card will be supported by an individual's record on the National Identity Register. The ability to either confirm the validity of the card or verify information electronically against the register using secure technologies means that forged cards will be ineffective, as they will be unable to make a connection to a valid record on the register.In addition to the electronic protection measures, the programme will endeavour to use physical characteristics which significantly reduce the viability of creating counterfeit or modified cards for simple visual verification.The card will be designed in accordance with physical anti-fraud measures required by International Civil Aviation Organisation standard 9303 and EU Council regulation 2252/2004. These requirements will be supplemented with the implementation of successful measures in use in industry, the results of research currently being conducted and experience gained through co-operating with document fraud units across Government.

Secondary information