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Identity Cards Bill

moved Amendment No. 52C:"Page 7, line 23, leave out from ““facilitating”” to end of line 26 and insert ““the self-identification of the individual by means of reference to registrable facts””" The noble Baroness said: My Lords, the amendment simplifies the drafting and the purpose of Clause 8(2)(b). As previously discussed, the subsection specifies the use of an ID card. The amendment does exactly what it says; it removes all the words after ““facilitating”” to the end of the paragraph, and replaces them so that the text would read:"““Carrying data enabling the card to be used for facilitating the self-identification of the individual by means of reference to registrable facts””." That replacement text enables the card to be used for the verification of registrable facts and thus the verification of an individual’s identity, but no further. In short, it limits the card to the purpose of identification only. After all, is that not the basic premise of the Government’s argument? They want people to be able to prove that they are who they say they are via the use of the ID card: for the use of public services; in the interests of national security; for the prevention or detection of crime; and the enforcement of immigration and prohibitions on illegal working. It will not allow those providing public services to access information recorded in the register that is not on the card. Indeed, is there a need for access to information other than proof of ID? Those who justify the need for access to other data on the register could do so under an application to the Secretary of State as set out in Clause 14(1). I beg to move.