Identity Cards: Databases

Home Department written question – answered at on 5 January 2010.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Chris Grayling Chris Grayling Shadow Minister (Home Affairs)

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information will be held on the National Identity Register on identity card holders that is not held on the UK Passport Database in respect of passport holders.

Photo of Alan Johnson Alan Johnson The Secretary of State for the Home Department

The information currently held on the UK passport database is very similar to that which is held on the National Identity Register. In addition, the Register holds:

1. Fingerprint biometrics, which will be required for passport issue in due course.

2. Some different administrative information to support the efficient operation of the National Identity Service. This includes:

(a) National insurance number to aid identity verification checks for identity cards, and in time, passports.

(b) Answers to "shared secrets" chosen by applicants which will allow them to identify themselves over the telephone, facilitating quicker reporting of lost or stolen documents and change of address

(c) A unique number, the national identity registration number, which binds recorded details relating to one person together in the same record.

Does this answer the above question?

Yes1 person thinks so

No4 people think not

Would you like to ask a question like this yourself? Use our Freedom of Information site.