Written question asked by Harry Cohen (Labour) on Monday, 19 July 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 13 September 2004. It was answered by Lord Browne of Ladyton (Labour) on Monday, 13 September 2004 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with whom consultation has been held on (a) the range of data items which are to be stored in the database of registered facts and (b) the potential for subsequent use and disclosure of personal data from the database of registered facts; and if he will make a statement. - Including ref to www.identitycards.gov.uk.

Answer: Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department with whom consultation has been held on (a) the range of data items which are to be stored in the database of registered facts and (b) the potential for subsequent use and disclosure of personal data from the database of registered facts; and if he will make a statement. [185960] Mr. Browne: The Government published a draft Identity Cards Bill on 26 April 2004 setting out the legislative framework for a national identity cards scheme. A 12-week consultation was held in accordance with the Cabinet Office's Code of Practice on Consultation. Over 3,000 copies of the consultation paper have been distributed including to all Members of Parliament, all the representative organisations that had commented on the earlier consultation and acquisition libraries across the UK. The consultation also appeared on the identity cards website (www.identitycards.gov.uk) and invited comments from individuals and organisations. We are now carefully analysing all the responses received. The Government will take account of these comments on the draft Bill before it introduces substantive legislation as soon as Parliamentary time allows. The House of Commons select committee on Home Affairs is undertaking a formal scrutiny of the draft Bill and will be publishing a report.

Secondary information