Written question asked by Nick Gibb (Conservative) on Wednesday, 28 April 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 17 May 2004. It was answered by Lord Browne of Ladyton (Labour) on Monday, 17 May 2004 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will list the Government databases that will be linked to the National Identity Register under proposals in the Draft Identity Cards Bill.

Answer: Mr. Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the Government databases that will be linked to the National Identity Register under proposals in the Draft Identity Cards Bill. [169916] Mr. Browne: There are no provisions in the draft Identity Cards Bill, which establish a direct link between the National Identity Register and any other Government database. However, applications for one of the family of identity cards will require checks to be made against other databases, including those of public sector bodies. The data-sharing gateways established for this purpose will be used only when processing applications for cards or related purposes to ensure that the person, who applies to register and to be issued with an identity card, is the person he or she claims to be. Under the draft Bill, Parliament would have to approve each such "gateway" via an affirmative order where no powers already exist for the sharing of data in this way.

Secondary information