Written question asked by Dominic Grieve (Conservative) on Monday, 17 November 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 20 November 2008. It was answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern (Labour) on Tuesday, 25 November 2008 on behalf of the Home Office.

Immigration: Biometrics

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether foreign nationals who are issued with biometric immigration documents before the National Identity Register has been established will have their details entered on the Register when it has been set up.

Answer: [holding answer 20 November 2008]: Foreign nationals who are subject to immigration control and apply for biometric immigration documents before the national identity register is established will not have to enter their biometric details onto the register. However, once biometric immigration documents are designated under the Identity Cards Act 2006, foreign nationals applying for a designated biometric immigration document will be required to provide their details for the register.

Secondary information