Clause 1 - The National Identity Register
Identity Cards Bill
11:15 am
Alistair Carmichael (Shadow Minister, Home Affairs; Orkney and Shetland, Liberal Democrat)
I can be brief. I presume that this is a probing amendment, but the hon. and learned Gentleman raises a good point. Many of my concerns, and those of people outwith this place, relate not just to the nature of the proposed scheme but its possible development and the manner in which the database will be used. There are concerns about what has been called function creep—which is also known by that ghastly word “incrementalism”. The test of reasonableness is fairly well known in law, leaves a wide range of discretion and is easily applied. A simple, straightforward amendment such as this would be a particularly elegant way of addressing the matter.
I commend the hon. and learned Gentleman on tabling the amendment and look forward to hearing what the Minister has to say.