---

Identity Cards Bill

I am grateful to Members of the Committee who have given support to this amendment, and thank the Minister for his, as ever, courteous response. However, I am disappointed with his response, because there is a failure of a meeting of minds on the basic principle. I do not believe that the Data Protection Act is a sufficient protection. The Minister adduces arguments about IT access being more widely available, so that people can get access that way; but I am always wary about expecting that everybody, vulnerable or not, can have access through IT. I am also wary about access by telephone because one is not able to verify the text—one is relying on a relaying of the information to that person. The Minister said that my amendments were at best unnecessary and at worst imperfect. I would say that the Bill was imperfect in parts as well. I do not feel that I would be able to progress further if I brought the matter back on Report. I feel strongly about it, and therefore tonight I wish to test the opinion of the Committee. On Question, Whether the said amendment (No. 55) shall be agreed to? Their Lordships divided: Contents, 37; Not-Contents, 38. [Amendment No. 56 not moved.] [Amendment No. 57 had been withdrawn from the Marshalled List.] [Amendment No. 58 not moved.] [Amendment No. 59 had been withdrawn from the Marshalled List.]