Personal Identity Cards

Debate between Lord Young of Cookham and Lord Ramsbotham

Monday 4th December 2017 Lords Chamber

[Lord Young of Cookham]

I think what you call it is a voluntary system, as opposed to a compulsory one.

[Lord Ramsbotham (CB)]

My Lords, is the Minister aware that there is already an identity card in existence and use? Thanks to the initiative of an organisation called Headway, people with acquired brain injuries are issued with a card which not only has on it their photograph but lists the symptoms that the brain injury has resulted in, such as speech defects or movement defects. That has been recognised by the police and is helping a great deal in preventing people with acquired brain injuries being arrested so often. It is interesting that the police, having recognised that card, are now very much in favour of an identity card, on which such information could be included.

[Lord Young of Cookham]

I am sure the whole House applauds the introduction of the voluntary system which the noble Lord has just referred to. Eighty-four per cent of the people in this country have a passport. That is a perfectly feasible form of identity available to anyone who wants one.