---

Identity Cards Bill

I think that it is an external characteristic which can be observed by the eye. This provision is there to assist an individual, because an individual will be able to verify who has looked at his record and why. I hope that I will be able to satisfy the curiosity of the noble Lord, Lord Peyton, and assure him that we are not emulating the quartermasters whom he seems to know so intimately in terms of wanting to catch all. I thank the noble Lord, Lord Phillips, for making it a probing amendment because I hope that I will be able to explain it. Sub-paragraph (c) would enable the Secretary of State to log who provided the information to the person and so will provide an additional safeguard against unauthorised release of information. Individuals working for the identity cards agency would know that if they provided verification information, their details would be recorded as well as those of the recipient. This is an important safeguard against abuse. It is an important safeguard for the individual. I am sure that the noble Earl, Lord Onslow, will be anxious for the individual to have that sort of security. A further safeguard provided by sub-paragraph (c) is the recording of the technical material used on each occasion, such as the serial number used to verify an ID card. That would be a useful tool for ensuring the integrity of the register.