Identity Cards Bill

The noble Lord, Lord Phillips, made some interesting points in regard to his two starred amendments, Amendments Nos. 210ZA and 211A. We look forward to hearing the Minister’s reply. However, the most significant amendment in the group is Amendment No. 213A, which puts in place a test of proportionality into the Secretary of State’s use of these powers. I agree that, if we are to have this Bill, the powers should not go beyond the stated claims for which they are being invoked. I also strongly agree that a test as to whether the disclosure of information is proportionate to what is sought to be achieved will help balance the need for individual privacy and freedoms versus national security. It helps make any decision both accountable and dependable from the start. As ever, we should fight to maintain that the burden of proof in our country is one of innocent until proven guilty rather than the other way round.