Clause 29 - Unauthorised disclosure of information
Identity Cards Bill
3:45 pm
Mr Des Browne (Minister of State (Citizenship, Immigration and Counter-Terrorism), Home Office; Kilmarnock and Loudoun, Labour)
No. I suspect that the hon. Gentleman is being slightly mischievous. As he knows, our domestic law is now made up of, among other things, EC regulations that have direct effect. That has been the situation ever since the Conservative party took us into the European Union, as it now is known. I would have thought that Opposition Members had got used to that by now.
If one is seeking to set out the parameters of ''lawful authority'', one needs reference to the possibility that one may be seeking legislation as a direct effect and that comes from Europe. ''Lawful authority'' is properly defined if it is so defined by reference to such legislation. I have nothing further to add. I hope that the amendments will now be considered unnecessary.