Horseman #1, Terrorists: Check. Horseman #2, Pedophiles: Check. Next? Cheers, RAH --------- <http://news.scotsman.com/print.cfm?id=2844122&referringtemplate=http%3A%2F%2Fnews%2Escotsman%2Ecom%2Flatest%2Ecfm&referringquerystring=id%3D2844122> print close Tue 27 Apr 2004 2:47am (UK) Id Cards 'Will Protect Youngsters from Paedophiles' By James Lyons, Political Correspondent, PA News Identity cards will help keep youngsters safe from perverts, Education Secretary Charles Clarke claimed today. Cards containing personal information like fingerprints would make it more difficult to side-step checks, said Mr Clarke. That was just one of the benefits of the controversial scheme, outlined yesterday, he was telling a Commons select committee. The controversial move could also save money and stamp out fraud, his evidence to the Home Affairs committee shows. In a written submission released ahead of this afternoon's hearing, Mr Clarke wholeheartedly backs the scheme. "I am very much in favour of identity cards not only because of the broad benefits to the UK such as tackling illegal working, preventing identity fraud and theft but because of the significant benefits that I believe that ID cards would bring the work of my department and its agencies," he said. Mr Clarke's appearance before the committee comes after Cabinet colleague David Blunkett produced draft proposals yesterday. People who refuse to register will not be jailed but face a fine of up to #2,500 under the Home Secretary's plans. Mr Blunkett said did not want to give opponents the opportunity to become "martyrs". The draft Identity Cards Bill allows the creation of a National Identity Register of up to 60 million UK residents. This will be linked to "biometric" cards carrying features including facial recognition, iris images and fingerprints. This biometric technology will be incorporated into existing identification documents, such as passports and driving licences. The first documents with facial recognition are due in 2005, and fingerprint details are expected to be added from 2007. People who do not need passports or driving licences will be able to apply for a "plain" ID card. Funding the introduction of the scheme will come from hikes in the cost of passports and driving licences. A combined passport/ID card will cost an estimated #77, a combined driving licence/ID card #73 and a "plain" card around #35. There will be concessions for the elderly and poor, with all 16-year-olds issued with their first card free of charge. Initially, the cards will be voluntary but they are expected to be made compulsory around 2013, by which time 80% of adults should already be carrying biometric ID. Any switch to a universal card would by made by an Order, subject to the approval of both Houses of Parliament, but new primary legislation would not be required. New criminal offences for the possession of false identity documents will be created, with a maximum sentence of 10 years jail. If they are made compulsory, cards will have to be produced to access a range of public services, including non-emergency treatment on the NHS and benefits. Latest News: http://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm -- ----------------- R. A. Hettinga <mailto: rah@ibuc.com> The Internet Bearer Underwriting Corporation <http://www.ibuc.com/> 44 Farquhar Street, Boston, MA 02131 USA "... however it may deserve respect for its usefulness and antiquity, [predicting the end of the world] has not been found agreeable to experience." -- Edward Gibbon, 'Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire'