Report - Guardian

238 The LSE Identity Project Report: June 2005The NPL/BTexact study was the most explicit document on the potential costs thatcould arise from biometric operations. The report considered the need for stringentenvironmental conditions; for example, lighting is important because any strayillumination sources cause the iris camera to see reflections. Second attempts at theprovision of biometric information may be required:, for example, in fingerprintrecognition a failure to acquire may be due to damp, dirty or dry fingers. 640The Government’s early figures under-estimated the costs of biometrics because ascheme was envisaged where the biometrics would not be integral to the systemsuccess. The 2002 consultation document argued that the biometric system would notneed to be as sophisticated as those used for policing, and the costs could be absorbed inthe upgrade of related systems, for example the UK Passport Service. 641Based on this approach, the Home Office predicted that the cost of biometric recordingequipment for fingerprints and iris scanning would be £19.5 million. This figure isderived from the purchase of 2,000 sets of fixed/mobile equipment costing £10,000each, including the cost of any requisite accompanying PC and software. The 2002consultation document suggested that this figure may be varied due to potential volumediscounts, or the need to install more equipment if there is insufficient coverage. 642 Thelatter factor should be particularly emphasised as the Home Office’s estimate of 2,000sets of equipment may be too conservative. The consultation document’s estimated costof £19.5 million is also increased by 50% as this is a high risk area. This takes the costof biometric recording equipment to £29 million. 643The NPL/BTexact report agrees with the Home Office estimate that 2000 sets ofbiometric recording equipment will be required, 644 although it is likely that this estimateis still too conservative.Costs for some items differ substantially from the figures given in the 2002 consultationdocument. The study considers the cost of licensing the technology. It agrees that 2,000sets of recording equipment at fixed locations are needed, but prices these at £5,000 perset, as against the Government costing of £10,000. Conversely, the study mentions as aseparate sub-category, the need for 2,000 sets of recording equipment for ‘remoteenrolment’ and prices these at £2,000 per set. It also separates out the cost of hardwarerequired to supplement the recording equipment and prices this at £10 million. This stillproduces a lower figure in terms of the set up of the recording equipment; the reportestimates this as £24 million, £5 million less than the Home Office estimated in 2003.The Regulatory Impact Assessment has the greatest variation in costs. BothAssessments insist that the readers will only cost between £250 and £750. In the lightof the responses from the UKPS trial, these costings are likely to be on the low side.640 ‘Feasibility Study on the Use of Biometrics in an Entitlement Scheme’, paragraph 65a and b, page 17.641 Consultation Document, Section 5, 2002, paragraph 11.642 Consultation Document, Section 5, 2002, paragraph 16.643 Consultation Document, Section 5, 2002, paragraph 16.644 NPL/BTExact study, 2003, paragraph 14.