Identity Cards Bill

moved Amendment No. 9:"Page 1, line 10, after ““others”” insert ““who reasonably require proof””" The noble Baroness said: The amendment would ensure that the only people or organisations to which proof of one’s registrable facts may be given will be those who reasonably require proof of one’s identity. Noble Lords will recall from yesterday’s debate that Clause 1 establishes the national identity register for the identity cards scheme. The facts must be registered compulsorily. The Government argue that that will provide a benefit because we can then prove our identity in a convenient manner. My amendment is eminently reasonable. What possible objection can the Government have to a requirement that only those who reasonably require proof should be entitled to ask for verification of identity? If the term ““convenient method”” in Clause 1(3)(a) means anything, surely it means convenient to the individual registered on the data base. Should it really also mean anybody else who decides he wants to ask for identity even when he does not have a bona fide reason for so doing? Surely not. The problem is that right from the start of what the Government refer to as a period of voluntary participation, an increasing number of people will think it necessary either to ask for proof of identity or think that they need to offer ID by way of validation to access their registrable facts. The pretext for demanding proof will be extended as time goes on. Opportunities for demanding proof of identity will multiply as the system becomes further embedded. We already know from debates here and in another place that there are concerns about validation creep. The amendment should help to guard against that happening. I beg to move.