ID cards plan takes a major leap forward

The government has published the draft Bill for legislation to introduce national biometric identity cards.

The content of the Bill is open for public consultation until 20 July and covers all aspects of the plan requiring a legal basis. Details include the creation of a National Identity Register, data sharing powers and restrictions, and the issue of when the card will be required.

The publication coincides with the start of the Passport Agency's 10,000-user trial of fingerprint and iris recognition technologies, as a prelude to biometric passports and the ID card scheme.

'We need to continue to play a leading role in shaping the way the world responds to the challenge of secure identification, so that our citizens can reap the benefits,' said Home Secretary David Blunkett.

Computing's Data Debate campaign, which calls for a review of government database policy, is even more relevant in the light of the accelerated ID cards programme.