Identity Cards Bill

May I support my noble friend Lady Anelay, who said that this was a probing amendment, and probe a point that worries me in this context? We are reading about the provision of a convenient method for such individuals to prove registrable facts about themselves to others. The amendment would add,"““others who reasonably require proof””." The Bill is very broad, and when one goes to Schedule 1, paragraph 17—and I mentioned this yesterday—one sees that some of the things that can be registered include,"““particulars of any other information obtained for ensuring that there is an accurate entry about that individual in the register””." This means that, presumably, public officials will make inquiries, perhaps at the person’s home, about who else is living with them and the circumstances in which they are living. It appears that all that can be written down and recorded in the register. It may well be that, in practice, those who want something from someone else—perhaps a mortgage or something less dramatic—find themselves forced to agree. However, if the words ““who reasonably require proof”” are added to the Bill, it will be a little easier to say, ““No, you are asking for something that is unreasonable””; ““You do not reasonably need this””; ““I’m sorry you can’t have it””; and ““You can’t legitimately refuse me a service if you don’t get it””. That would tie in with other discriminatory legislation that the Government are introducing. Could we have a little clarification about what I believe is a genuine worry in what is potentially a highly intrusive Bill?