Clause 11 - Power to require information for validating Register
Identity Cards Bill
10:15 am
Andy Burnham (Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Home Office; Leigh, Labour)
Perhaps I shall draft such guidance while I sit beside the swimming pool in France.
I understand what the hon. and learned Gentleman is saying but I do not believe that there is a need. If he examines the UK Passport Service’s report—I shall ensure that it is sent to him as soon as it is published—he will see exactly the sort of checks that we have in mind. They are already part of policy recommended by the Cabinet Office. It is not an entirely new concern; we have simply extended to the identity card agency the same powers that have already been introduced in relation to passports. I understand what he is after, but it is already a matter of public policy. I shall give him more information on it with respect to the Passport Service, but it is not necessary to produce a note. Given what I have said about the amendment, I hope that the hon. Member for Newark will withdraw it.