Identity Cards Bill

The rather depressing thing about this amendment is that it lights up something I hoped one would be able to avoid: it assumes that this wretched Bill is going to be there for 100 years. I had hoped that we could scrap this register and its attack on our freedoms much earlier than that. I suppose I am in a minority, though not too much of a minority. My noble friend Lady Anelay of St Johns raised a very important point about people under witness protection and about spies. If we wish to have spies, which we obviously do—especially nowadays—their identities have to be hidden. I assume, and hope, that this can be done and that, in effect, lies and false entries will be able to remain upon this wretched register—if we must have it—for national security and the safety of those who have decided to bear witness in the cause of good laws and punishment of the ungodly.