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Proceeding contribution from Lord Bassam of Brighton (Labour) in the House of Lords on Monday, 12 December 2005. It occurred during Committee of the Whole House (HL) and Debate on bill on Identity Cards Bill 2005-06.


Identity Cards Bill

I agreed, although as I made clear earlier, we have not fixed on a definite number of centres. We have an indication of what the number might be; that was clear from the earlier debate. There is an element of compulsion in registering births, deaths and marriages. I do not think we can make an exception in this case. However, we have the facility and the flexibility to consider the needs of the vulnerable. I would argue that those on lower incomes have a degree of vulnerability. The noble Lord can read into that what he wishes, but we are intending to be flexible. The noble Lord says that we do not want to score own goals. We are going to approach this in a sensitive and flexible way. If we did not, it would be more difficult to make the scheme work. It is anticipated as being universal and it would be wrong to make broader exemptions and exceptions than we have. Having said that, we have provided quite a lot of room for manoeuvre for dealing with people who are vulnerable, infirm, elderly, have a disability or do not have easy access to a ready means of transport. We are committed to making a provision there. If there are other difficulties relating to the mobile centres, it is likely that we can deal with those as well.


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
676 c1057 
Session
2005-06
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
Subjects
Disability Disclosure of information Data protection Codes of practice Biometrics Costs Convictions Delegated legislation Fraud EU countries Fees and charges Fingerprints Immigration EU law Identity cards Documents Fines Eyes Personal records Photographs National identity register Proof of identity Passports Registration
Legislation
Identity Cards Bill 2005-06
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk