Identity Cards Bill

moved Amendment No. 69:"Page 4, line 8, at end insert—" ““(   )   Where a new identity is entered in the Register by agreement between the Secretary of State and an individual and they both know the identity is not a true identity, the Secretary of State shall keep a record of the true identity and this information will be entered in the Register after 100 years from the date of the first entry of the agreed new identity.”” The noble Baroness said: In moving Amendment No. 69, with the leave of the Committee I shall speak also to Amendments Nos. 71, 72 and 74, which are grouped with it. Clause 3 sets out the information that may be recorded in the register. Amendment No. 69 raises questions about what happens when the Secretary of State records on the register an identity which he knows to be false—for example, that of a person who is covered by a witness protection programme. It is disappointing that earlier this year we did not have time to debate the measures in the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act that are directly relevant to this matter. The Government’s calling of the early general election meant that we rushed through the whole Committee stage in a day in wash-up. I fully accept that that was the fault of all parties because it was done by agreement through the usual channels. All parties agreed that it was a very important Bill and that it had to go through quickly. But that is an example of where agreement between parties for the best of all possible reasons—the security of the country—means that some issues are not given the proper consideration that they deserve. My amendment would ensure that the Secretary of State would preserve a record of a person’s real identity, and that real identity would be entered in a national identity register after 100 years. I realise that, even with increased longevity, that will be after the person about whom the information is recorded has long departed this Earth. But there is a reason for my proposal. If the original identity is never entered, what will happen to it? How will people in the future ever know that that identity existed? It is a matter of great interest to family historians on a personal basis, and it is also important to Mormons, who are required to pray for their ancestors. Amendment No. 72 goes on to allow the release of information after 100 years for historical research. Subsection (4) allows information to be kept,"““for so long as it is consistent with the statutory purposes””," for it to be so kept. The Explanatory Notes argue that that will make the verification of individuals easier by ensuring that an audit trail of changes is made. Amendment No. 71 asks the Government to explain their requirement that the information can go on being recorded if it is consistent with the statutory purposes. My amendment places the higher requirement that the information has to be necessary for the statutory purposes if it is to continue being held. Amendment No. 74 extends that higher requirement of necessity to the Secretary of State’s power to make an order adding a requirement of more information to the list of matters that should be recorded as registrable facts. I beg to move.