---

Identity Cards Bill

My Lords, we have conceded on many points. It is a question of judgment. We have moved and moved and moved and moved again, but I do not think that there is any space left to move to. This is a primary piece of legislation. In many of the debates, Members of this House have been almost tempted to treat it as if it was secondary legislation. This is primary legislation, which has been debated and debated and debated again. We are left with a central issue—should the link that designation provides be maintained or not? The other place says ““Yes””. It has said ““Yes”” consistently—not just through this Bill, but through the previous Bill, which went through all its stages in the other place before the election. The Gerrard amendment dealt with this issue. On every occasion the other House has said that this link must be maintained as the most effective and efficacious way of delivering what is a main, government policy. If I may respectfully say so, it is for this House now, if it honours its position and that of the other place, to give way with grace.