To ask the Scottish Executive when (a) ministers and (b) officials have met UK ministers or officials from the Home Office to discuss identity cards and what concerns were expressed at the meetings.

Ministers have been in communication with the Home Office both by telephone and by letter throughout the year. These communications have explored the implications for Scotland of the National Identity Scheme and latterly, the launch of ID cards for foreign nationals.

In October, at the request of the IPS, Scottish Government officials met with IPS officials to discuss if and how the ID card proposals might impact on the functions of Scottish ministers. No decisions were made at that meeting and the discussions have not yet concluded.