These are the latest links to Statewatches info about it all:
Identity Card Bill published – full-text (pdf):
http://www.statewatch.org/news/2004/nov/uk-id-card-bill.pdf
Explanatory Notes (link):
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200405/cmbills/008/en/05008x–.htm
ID Cards: Regulatory Impact:
http://www.statewatch.org/news/2004/nov/uk-id-card-bill-reg-imp.pdf
Assessment (pdf) No2id website: FAQ on ID cards (link):
http://www.no2id.net/content/first_reading_briefing.html
As you may see from an earlier entry on my fotoblog, I’ve already contributed to the scheme !
Volunteer: Home Office Identity Card Scheme
http://tashcamuk.fotopages.com/?entry=148227
I had signed up to be a volunteer [guineapig ?] for the scheme. The biometrics enrolment trial which UK Passport Service are undertaking, the recruitment of volunteers is being managed by MORI (Market & Opinion Research International). Any request to take part in the trial should be directed to: Melanie Briere on telephone number 020 7347 3023, e-mailtrial@mori.com, or via http://www.mori.com/candc/passport.shtml.
Quite a painless exercise. They took all fingerprints, a face picture [with a four position facial ‘map’] and an iris read. This was done from about 15″ away, a little surprising that, since I thought it was right up close, like looking into a microscope. Then I signed an electronic pad. That was the databasing side. Filled out a questionnaire, while card was prepared.
Then there is the verification phase. They took my card, stuck it into the reader. I was asked to sit at similar machine that scanned my face. It took a few seconds. then the computer, whirred and rattled, then everything stopped, a few worried looks! then it started again, the screen showed my name and details. So it worked. Well, at least with a sample of 3859 folks to compare on the database. That’s as far as they’ve got now.
Not sure what a terrorist is going to make of all this. If is catches a few, that’s good of course. But with my experience of plod, I can see how awkward it is going to be for some folks ……
My pet fear still remains a policeman / soldier / neighbourhood wardens perhaps, being able to approach you in the street, and without any further evidence or suspicion, say to you “Papers”. and there we are, right back in the 1930’s Germany etc ……
ho hum.
Identity Cards
Home Office
50 Queen Anne’s Gate
London
SW1H 9AT
ID helpline: 0207 3473023
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/comrace/identitycards/index.html
