Written question asked by Claire Curtis-Thomas (Labour) on Tuesday, 24 February 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 10 March 2004. It was answered by Baroness Hughes of Stretford (Labour) on Wednesday, 10 March 2004 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make a statement on the nature of the proposed national identity database; and what plans he has to use 2D barcodes to store the biometric template on identity cards.

Answer: Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the nature of the proposed national identity database; and what plans he has to use 2D barcodes to store the biometric template on identity cards. [157028] Beverley Hughes: Data held on the National Identity Register will be basic identity information--such as name, address, date of birth, gender, immigration status and a confirmed biometric--and this will be set out in statute. Organisations using the National Register to verify identity will not be able to get to other personal information, for instance health or tax records, via the register. At present there is no firm decision on the technology which will be used on the card. Technologies will be evaluated in how well they meet our requirements, in particularly in the areas of security, capacity and adherence to international standards.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 418 c1576W;418 c1578W; 157028
Session: 2003-04
Subjects: Databases Biometrics Identity cards Personal records Proof of identity Technology
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk