Richard Ford, Home Correspondent
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The proposed national identity register - the heart of the Government’s identity card scheme – is to be reassessed in light of the recent data loss at HM Revenue & Customs.
Michael Wills, the data protection minister, said that the loss of CDs containing the details of 25 million people would have implications for the register. “We are going to have to learn the lessons,” he told the joint Lords and Commons human rights committee. “Everything will have to be scrutinised and then we will assess it again.”
Jacqui Smith, the Home Secretary, had earlier defended the identity register to MPs. She said: “The advantage of a national identity register is that it enables the linking of the biometric information maintained on one database to be linked to biographic data on another database, thereby strengthening the protection for individuals in the circumstances where, for example, biographical information was stolen or went missing.”
The proposed register would contain the full names of every person, the date and place of their births and their current and previous addresses. It would also contain photographs, signature, fingerprints,national insurance and drivers’ licence numbers and details of any immigration documents.
Ministers decided against storing all the information together because of the cost and increased security risk. Biographical details would be stored at the Department of Work and Pensions, while biometric information would be kept at the Passport Agency.

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How are they going to make people with severe learning difficulties "comply"....and, when they can`t , what happens next ??
In my opinion, this is nothing to do with identity theft, and everything to do with "Globalisation".
Have a Google and wake up to what`s happening.
Clive.
Linc`s.
clive, skegness,
since the ID card scheme would be pointless unles everyone had to have one
how wouldbiometric information be obtained from the housebound ?
peter codner, devizes, england
I have no problem with carrying an ID card. I have in the past. I do however have a major problem with the state demanding control of my complete identity.
If this government's pitifully inept use of IT is anything to go by, the proposed ID card database will aid everything it is claimed it will oppose. Making identity fraud easier and more complete for one thing, and denying benefits and welfare support to those that really are in need of it, nevermind putting thousands of womens and childrens lives at risk.
I have already pledged to boycott the ID card plans (I won't be applying). I will be breaking the law, but for decencys sake, I don't see that I have much choice.
Labour have ruined the country I was born in, the country I grew up in. The country I have served and loved. I now view life and society completely differently, and thanks to Labour, I now view politicians as incompetent liars, the political process as flawed and easily abused, and democracy as a dirty word.
Jennifer Hynes, Plymouth, England
I guess they could keep me really safe if they put me in a little room with a secure door?
Mike, Birmingham, UK
Once we have started down this route, where does it ultimately lead us? After they have my fingerprints and photograph in their system, the obvious next step is to take my DNA. All for my safety and security, of course. And then perhaps they should put a transmitter in my car to let them know if I happen to drive too fast. All for my own protection. Monitoring everyone's telephone and internet use would be a good idea too. Just think of how much safer and more secure life would be if nobody could talk about naughty things without being overheard. Eventually the technology will exist to implant us all with electronic chips at birth. The state will know where all its subjects are at all times, what they are doing and even thinking, and what a blissfully safe and crime-free world I'm sure that will be. Except that I think I would rather die fighting before I had to live in it.
We have to draw the line somewhere, and I draw it here. I will go to jail before I submit to an identitiy card.
David Holland, Launceston, Cornwall
Even before this fiasco I was somewhat against ID cards as it seemed like a huge amount of money for no real benefit and with MANY downsides.
But maybe now just ignore the whole thing as NO WAY are they going to get my data onto their dodgy database in any more detail than they have it now. Fingerprints? NO WAY! Retina/iris scan? NO WAY!
It isn't time for a rethink on ID. It's time for a full reversal and assurances that no UK government will even threaten to get us onto this slippery slope in the future.
But HMG seem hell bent on this scary plan, so we really do need to start fighting back.
These guys - http://www.no2id.net/ - seem to have the right idea.
Ian
Ian Oliver, Leeds, UK