Identity Cards Bill

My Lords, of course I hear what the noble Baroness is saying, but we are still left in the position that we do not know whether noble Lords opposite will or will not accept the identity cards scheme as something that will inure to the benefit of the people of this country. We believe that it does and that it is important. Where are we? We are where we have been for some months. The other place has been asked to think again, with variations on the same theme. On each occasion it has answered. For the sake of the record, I should tell your Lordships what those answers have been. On 18 October 2005, the Neil Gerrard amendment was defeated by a majority of 32. On 23 January 2006, Lords amendments Nos. 16 and 22 were passed on Report by the Lords, by 186 votes to 142, an opposition majority of 44. On 13 February 2006, the two Lords amendments were then rejected, with a separate Division on each amendment, in the Commons with majorities of 31 and 51, respectively. On 6 March 2006, the Lords insisted on their amendments; the opposition majority was 61 on the Lords consideration of Commons amendments. On 13 March 2006, the Commons reversed the amendments and passed a technical amendment in lieu with a majority of 33. On 15 March 2006, the Lords again insisted, with a reduced majority of 35. On 16 March 2006, the Commons reversed the amendments with an increased majority of 51. On 20 March, the Lords disagreed with the Commons and passed two amendments in lieu, with a slightly increased majority, one vote, of 36. Then, on 21 March, the Commons disagreed with their Lordships by a majority of 43. I understand the reason why the noble Lord, Lord Armstrong, believes that this is helpful, but how many times are we going to say ““No”” to the will of the other place? I invite the noble Lord, Lord Armstrong, to think very carefully about whether he wants to press the Motion; about the impact it will have; and about the consequences for this House as regards its relationship with the other place. To be clear, I am not talking about the Parliament Act. I am talking about something I regard to be much more precious.