ID Cards Vote:Labour Maj. Cut/ID Cards Will Lead to "Massive Fraud"--UK

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1//The Scotsman, UK Tuesday, 18th October 2005

http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=2103982005



ID CARDS WILL LEAD TO ‘MASSIVE FRAUD’

Gerri Peev, Political Correspondent



The government's case for identity cards has been dealt a serious blow on the day of a crucial Commons vote after the software giant Microsoft warned that the proposals could generate "massive identity fraud" on a scale as yet unseen.



In an article for The Scotsman today, Jerry Fishenden, the national technology officer for Microsoft, says the proposal to place "biometrics" - or personal identifiers such as fingerprints - on a central database could perpetuate the "very problem the system was intended to prevent". He says ministers "should not be building systems that allow hackers to mine information so easily".



The timing of the warning could not have been worse for the government; ministers have been arm-twisting behind the scenes to stave off a Commons rebellion tonight over whether the bill should get a third reading.



Many Labour MPs have concerns about the scheme and some have vowed to side with the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives in opposing identity cards. The bill is expected to scrape through today, but the House of Lords is set to give it a tougher time.

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//The Scotsman, UK Tue 18 Oct 2005 8:38pm (UK)

http://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=2108712005



ID CARDS VOTE: LABOUR MAJORITY CUT


The Government's majority slumped to 32 in the Commons as it suffered another backbench revolt over identity cards.



Labour rebels, backed by the Opposition, tried to block moves to force people applying for passports to submit personal details to the ID card database.



But the bid failed by 310 votes to 278 after a short but bitter debate, in which Government backbenchers warned of "creeping compulsion".



(snip)

A further rebellion was expected when the Bill received its third reading, despite conciliatory moves recently by Home Secretary Charles Clarke.



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