To ask the Scottish Executive whether electronic entitlement cards will be connected to any national identity register or similar database.

The Executive has no plans to link the entitlement card to any national identity register or similar database.

However, within Scotland, there will be a need to develop a link between the entitlement card and an index of entitlement card holders. For example, to automatically cancel the account of that card holder and their entitlement in the event of that persons death being notified, or to automate the award of an entitlement should that persons status change, e.g. a national concessionary fare could automatically be offered in the event of that person reaching their sixtieth birthday.

The establishment of the account, the account status and any data sharing that results from this will only be done with the informed consent of the citizen.

These developments are at an early stage in the consideration of how an entitlement card scheme might work. It is part of a wider drive to improve the efficiency of our public services and the implementation of a more pro-active approach to the delivery of services. It is not about identity management and the need to create a national identity register.