Immigration (Biometric Registration) (Civil Penalty Code of Practice) Order 2008

I do not believe that that is the case. That is not how the police would behave. They are not allowed to ask for that. When they do stop-and-search, they cannot ask somebody to provide even his name and address, let alone an ID card. It is more an apparent than a real concern. The noble Lord raised a number of questions regarding children. We anticipate that it would usually be the child’s parent who accompanied him in these circumstances. If that were not possible, someone over the age of 18, who we would expect to have a connection with the child, may take responsibility. It may be someone from the school or the place where the person was studying. We are committed to keeping children safe. There is no doubt that by their having a clear identity we are able to keep them much safer. It is children who have no clear identity or multiple identities who are trafficked across borders. An accurate identity makes them safer. As regards biometrics for young children, children aged six years and under will be required to provide only a facial image, which is similar to the requirement for those who are physically incapable of providing fingerprints. On updating biometrics as children become older, current regulations stipulate that a child’s card will expire after five years at the latest. After that, another application will have to be made because dramatic changes take place when children are at that age. The noble Lord asked whether those who applied under the pilot will receive a card. The answer is no. Those who apply under the pilot are issued with a vignette and we will not now send them a card. Those who apply for leave in these categories after November will be issued with a card. I am conscious that a large number of questions were asked. I am afraid that I might miss some of them in my reply. We will certainly check in Hansard and make sure that we reply to them in writing. I asked my team how much the cards will cost. The best figure that I have is that it will probably cost us more than £10 million overall over 10 years, the rest being covered by people buying the cards. Part of the cost is the setting-up of the scheme. Once we run on from the 10 years, it will be self-financing. That is just pure cash, but the benefits of the cards are huge. A whole raft of gains makes them worth that amount of money over that period. If that figure is not accurate, I will write to noble Lords. I know that a number of other points were raised. Unless noble Lords wish me to answer something in particular now, I hope that they will forgive me if I check Hansard and write to them on the specifics. This is a very sensible move. I am glad that it has been accepted as so by most people. There will be a bigger debate on the ID cards. It is right that there should be some penalty if people do not obey the new law and that they be held if they are meant to have an ID card. I commend the order to the Committee. On Question, Motion agreed to.