Report - Guardian

38 The LSE Identity Project Report: June 2005“There should not be a central database holding all individualinformation but the identity card should enable access to allGovernment databases.” 53HAC also concluded that although it concluded that identity cards could make asignificant contribution to problems such as illegal working, fighting organised crime,terrorism, and identity fraud, and establishing entitlement to public service:“However, the introduction of identity cards carries clear risks, bothfor individuals and for the successful implementation of the scheme.We are concerned by the lack of clarity and definition on key elementsof the scheme and its future operation and by the lack of openness inthe procurement process. The lack of clarity and openness increasesthe risks of the project substantially. This is not justified and must beaddressed if the scheme is to enjoy public confidence and to work andachieve its aims in practice.” 54The Home Secretary released a press release in response.“I am pleased that the Home Affairs Select Committee report confirmsthat the Government’s plans for a compulsory ID cards scheme willdeliver real benefits, in particular making a significant contribution totackling organised crime, terrorism, illegal working and illegalimmigration. They also make clear that they believe that ‘it is possibleto deliver the project on time, to specification and to cost’.” 55He went on to defend the lack of detailed information about procurement:“I do not accept that it is appropriate to release detailed, marketsensitiveinformation about the financial and contractual aspects of thescheme at this stage. I understand the desire for more information, butwe need to balance this with our duty to ensure we get the best valuefor money for the taxpayer.”No further detail has been forthcoming.Second consultation (2004)The results of the 2004 consultation were published as “A Summary of Findings fromthe Consultation on Legislation on Identity Cards” in October 2004. 56 Almostsimultaneously The Daily Telegraph broke the news that the Home Office wasrecruiting a marketing manager to sell the benefits of compulsory identity cards, eventhough legislation had yet to appear before Parliament. 5753 HAC Report, Page 4.54 HAC Report, paragraph 280 (page 68).55 ‘Response to Home Affairs Select Committee Report on Identity Cards’, Home Office press release issued July 302004: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/n_story.asp?item_id=104756 Available at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/docs3/id_summary_doc_3.pdf57 ‘Blunkett 'jumps gun' on ID cards’, Philip Johnston, The Daily Telegraph, October 13 2004:http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml;sessionid=ZYW41GUQOVHCVQFIQMFSM54AVCBQ0JVC?xml=/news/2004/10/13/nid13.xml&sSheet=/news/2004/10/13/ixhome.html&secureRefresh=true&_requestid=40982. See also