Tom Mccabe Again Attempts to Avoid the Big Brother Database Question
Thu., June 16, 2005. 15:07.
Executive duck crucial questions on the National Identity Database
Green MSPs who have spearheaded a campaign in the Scottish Parliament against the plan for ID cards and a National Identity Register, were disappointed today that the Minister Tom McCabe avoided answering detailed points on the use of a National Identity Database which is the major part of the proposed ID card system. Mr McCabe repeated points again and again about ID cards and his proposal for a separate 'entitlement card'.
Patrick Harvie MSP, said: "The Minister tells us that he has been 'clear all along' about the use of ID cards for accessing devolved services. But the motion agreed by Parliament called for a statement not on the cards, but on the National Identity Register – the database – and its use by devolved institutions. Given that this statement today is a response to that call, it is perhaps surprising that only one paragraph of an eight page statement relates to the database.
"None of the serious concerns about the use of the database have been addressed – nothing on function creep, nothing on data sharing, nothing on the presumption of accuracy – a huge problem given that much smaller, simpler systems such as NI numbers and driving licences are riddled with inaccuracies – nothing on the fact that individuals will be required to pay for the privilege of having inaccurate information corrected.
"And nothing on the question of how and in what circumstances devolved institutions will use their new ability to access information on the register. Just the repeated line – ID cards will not be used to access devolved services. Yet the Minster tells us that he can give “no more solid assurance” about his approach to the scheme. I think he could if he tried. We need a clear commitment that no public services will be affected by the information on the database, and we need to know that the most restrictive possible approach will be taken to the whole scheme."
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Notes to editors
1. Motion lodged in the parliament today: That the Parliament welcomes the fact that public support for identity cards is falling, as a recent poll by ICM showed that 43% of the population now consider ID cards to be a bad, or very bad idea; reiterates that a majority of MSPs backed parliamentary motion S2M-2463, which stated that proposals for an identity card and database scheme are flawed on political, technical and financial grounds, and that the scheme offers an ineffective response to problems of security and fraud, and poses an unacceptable threat to civil liberties; further notes its concern that individuals could pay up to £300 for an ID card; believes that the cost of an ID card amounts to little more than a new poll tax for the people of Scotland and calls upon the UK Government to drop the current proposals for ID cards and a National Identity Database.
2. The vote in February which sparked this statement was 52 for, 47 against, 15 abstentions. Motion agreed by the Parliament: *S2M-2463 Patrick Harvie: Identity Cards-That the Parliament notes the Identity Cards Bill currently being considered by the Westminster Parliament; is concerned at the lack of time devoted to the scrutiny of this Bill, which has left important questions unanswered over how the identity card scheme will work in practice; believes the proposals to be flawed on political, technical and financial grounds; is concerned that the national identity card and database offer an ineffective response to problems of security and fraud and pose an unacceptable threat to civil liberties; notes that the current cost estimate for the scheme is £5.5 billion and that further escalation of this cost is expected; rejects the Prime Minister's belief, stated on 1 December 2004 in the House of Commons, that "it is legitimate and right, in this day and age, to ask people to carry identity cards" which appears to go far beyond the current scope of the Bill and would require the consent of the Scottish Parliament; welcomes the Scottish Executive's position that identity cards will not be required to allow access to devolved public services, and calls on the Executive to make a full statement on the intended use of the identity database by devolved institutions.
3. China's decision to halt plans for ID cards on 'human rights' violation grounds. http://www.chinapost.com.tw/detail.asp?ID=63647&GRP=A
Another motion related to this lodged today: That the Parliament congratulates the Council of Grand Justices in China for its recent decision to freeze a new ID card law requiring fingerprinting because it might constitute a violation of human rights, and calls upon the UK Government to reconsider its position on identity cards.
4. Greens argue that ID cards will: • Be costly and impractical: There is scepticism about the cost and operability of the scheme(£5.5bn and rising), as well as the government's ability to manage the technology. Large government IT projects are renowned for cost over-runs and technical hitches. This will be the most ambitious such project in history. • Lead to loss of privacy: There will be a massive database containing an unprecedented amount of personal information on people. • Worsen harassment of minority groups: They'll provide another pretext for stop-and-search, often directed at ethnic minorities • Have little impact on counter-terrorism: Terrorist networks would soon be able to produce counterfeit cards or papers enabling people to get legitimate cards. While former Home Secretary, David Blunkett admitted that it would be possible to register for a card using a false identity, but was satisfied that a person would then "be stuck with it for life". How much of a problem would this really be for a suicide bomber? • Have little effect on illegal working: Employers who are already willing to break the law won't be put off by identity cards. • Be subject to 'function creep': The functions of the card will grow over time as it stores more personal information. More agencies will demand to see it, effectively making it necessary for people to carry one. 5. For information about No2ID go to: http://www.no2id.net
Contact the Scottish Greens' press team on 07909 933 074.