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Identity Cards Bill (Programme) (No. 3)

I am grateful to my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Sleaford and North Hykeham (Mr. Hogg) and my hon. Friend the Member for Aldridge-Brownhills (Mr. Shepherd) for pointing out a number of vital matters. I heard one of the Ministers refer to the Leader of the Opposition in the context of the Bill. He will know that I have had the gravest doubts about the way in which the Bill was presented on Second Reading. When the matter was decided in 1995, it was pursued on a voluntary basis. I heard the Minister this morning on the ““Today”” programme refer to an enabling Bill. The enabling process changes the nature of the operation completely and will not allow proper debate. As the Minister well knows, the reality is that in the context of what the Information Commissioner said, this is about state surveillance. That is why I presented George Orwell’s book ““1984”” to the Home Secretary who, to his disgrace, is not here this afternoon. With great respect to you, Mr. Speaker, Standing Orders have been taken over by the Executive, and that has led to the situation today. They should be returned to you. This is the constitutional question that we face. Matters related to guillotines and programme motions should be decided not by the majority in the House but by indisputably distinguished and independent parties—in particular yourself, Mr. Speaker. It is a disgrace to hear Ministers from the Home Office suggest otherwise.