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Identity Cards Bill

My Lords, the noble Lord, Lord Gould, may continue in his blissful belief that this is a corner of Britain which is completely out of touch with what is going on anywhere else. Since the Bill began its passage through this House and the noble Lord made his speeches, it is my experience that the people where I live are extremely grateful that Members of the House of Lords are asking a lot of questions. They may or may not be happy about identity cards; I think their view has changed a bit while we have been examining the Bill, but that will be revealed as time goes on. However, I repeat that they are extremely grateful that we are asking questions. The question just asked by my noble friend—whether it is right that Clause 9(4)(d) should provide that the Secretary of State may ask for any information he likes for the purpose of the Bill—is a good question. My noble friend suggests that he should seek any information that is ““reasonably required””. If a citizen were to take the Government to court over what was being asked of him, the test would be whether the question was reasonable. That is a perfectly good point. I am sorry that the noble Lord still resents everything that noble Lords on this side of the Chamber are seeking to do.