The Lords had called for a detailed report setting out a cost
estimate over a 10-year period for all Government departments, not
just the Home Office, and for anyone else carrying out functions
under the legislation. In addition, it demanded that the cost
estimate be examined by the Comptroller and Auditor General who
must prepare a report for Parliament.
According to Home Secretary Charles Clarke, the cost of the
combined ID card and passport would be £93 whilst the stand-alone
ID card would be £30.
The costs of the scheme have been contested by the London School
of Economics (LSE). It produced a report criticising the
Government's costings last month, claiming that the actual cost per
card would be £300. Following its pubilication, the House of Lords
asked that the ID card scheme halt until the full costs were known
and verified.
Acknowledging the costs concerns, Labour MP Frank Dobson
suggested that the Government produce a report every six months.
This amendment was approved without the need for a vote. It relates
only to Home Office costs and does not address, for example, NHS
costs of changing systems to connect to the ID card database, or
for performing checks on it. Private sector costs, when they arise,
will also be excluded.
MPs also voted yesterday to force people to acquire an ID card
when they get a new passport. As of 2008, anyone applying for or
renewing their passport will also have to pay for an identity card.
This appears to contradict a pledge in the Government's manifesto:
"We will introduce ID cards, including biometric data like
fingerprints, backed up by a national register and rolling out
initially on a voluntary basis as people renew their
passports."
The Bill will now go back to the House of Lords where further
amendments may be made.
