MPs to debate ID cards policy

Harman: No change in policy

MPs are to debate ID card policy in the House of Commons on Monday (6 July) in a motion called by the Tory Party.

There has been growing speculation in recent weeks about the future of the controversial scheme.

Earlier this week, home secretary Alan Johnson announced that ID card trials planned for airside Manchester and London City airport staff will no longer be compulsory. Johnson also backed down on previously stated aims to make ID cards compulsory for all citizens at some point in the future.

The Tories claimed last week that key statutory instruments required before the scheme can proceed have still to be laid before Parliament, with just two weeks before MPs leave Westminster for their summer holidays.

Both the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats have said they would scrap the scheme if they came into power.

And a major IT contract for producing the cards themselves has been delayed until at least autumn 2010, after the next General Election.

Business secretary Lord Mandelson yesterday denied accusations that the government had backtracked over plans to make ID cards compulsory in the future.

And Commons leader Harriet Harman today added to confusion over the claimed government U-turn.

She said in reply to questions about government business: "The only change — which I would not call a change in policy — is that for airside staff at two airports, instead of government requiring them to do this, it will be dealt with airport by airport in consultation between those who are working there and those who are running the airport."

Harman said ministers "have always said that if we are going to make them [ID cards] compulsory we would have to have primary legislation before this House."

Harman denied a claim from deputy Liberal Democrat business spokesman Sir Robert Smith that money has been wasted on the programme, insisting biometric passports and ID cards for foreign workers will proceed.