Clause 28 - Identity documents for the purposes of s. 27
Identity Cards Bill
5:15 pm
Edward Garnier (Shadow Minister, (Assisted By Shadow Law Officers); Harborough, Conservative)
Thank you, Mr. Gale. I do not think there is any particular magic about the order in which we discuss these amendments. Broadly, they are all designed to deal with the same point, which is to classify the identity documents that are caught by offences under clause 27. Those documents include an identity card and “a designated document”; we have discussed that, and I have expressed my concerns about the vague nature of what a designated document is or may be. There is also “an immigration document” and “a United Kingdom passport”, which we discussed briefly in relation to the previous amendment. There is also a passport issued by another country or “an international organisation”—such as a United Nations passport, presumably, or a World Trade Organisation passport. There is also
“a document that can be used ... instead of a passport”,
such as a travel document issued to an asylum applicant. Interestingly, another document is a UK driving licence, which I presume can be used for identity purposes and to enable one to travel within the common travel area of the UK and the Republic of Ireland, although it is not strictly necessary in order to do that. There is also a driving licence from a country outside the UK.
We are puzzled as to why a birth certificate is not included in that list of identity documents. If the Government are so keen that we should give to the identity register all the information contained in schedule 1, much of which might or might not be found in existing documents, why is a birth certificate not included? There seems to be a degree of inconsistency there.
My argument on this matter needs neither repetition nor elaboration. I have made the points that I intended to make, and I look forward to hearing what the Minister has to say.