- LONDON (UPI) - The British
government Wednesday unveiled controversial proposals to introduce compulsory
identity cards.
The rationale for the IDs is the same being discussed for similar proposals
in America: curbing the invasion of illegal aliens, reducing fraud and
fighting terrorism. But concerns about privacy and civil liberties have
arisen.
Home Secretary David Blunkett told Parliament that he envisioned a universal
"entitlement" card, for which everyone in Britain would register
to gain the right to social services, benefits and employment.
Blunkett said he was launching a six-month consultative exercise to gauge
public reaction. But one source in Prime Minister Tony Blair's office said,
"We wouldn't be putting the idea forward if we did not think there
was a positive reason to look at it."
'Made Up His Mind to Go Ahead'
Another source close to the government said Blunkett "with Blair's
backing has pretty much made up his mind to go ahead with it." The
document the home secretary submitted to Parliament even contained possible
designs for the credit card-sized ID.
Blunkett has been working on a plan to introduce a national identity card
ever since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on New York and the Pentagon.
But he said earlier that national security should not be considered the
sole reason for issuing such cards.
Britain introduced compulsory ID cards as a security measure during World
War II, but they were axed in 1952 after a judge questioned their value
in peacetime.
Invasion of Illegal Aliens
The national ID card is seen as a major weapon in the British government's
battle against the growing problem of illegal aliens coming from mainland
Europe, most notably through the underwater Channel Tunnel rail link from
France, regularly swarmed by hundreds of asylum seekers from the Sangatte
refugee camp trying to get to Britain.
Blunkett's ID card initiative came a week after French Interior Minister
Nicolas Sarkozy said Britain's lack of such a document was a main reason
why so many illegal aliens where targeting it. Sarkozy hinted strongly
that France would not close the Sangatte camp until London took appropriate
action.
The U.K. home secretary did not detail the format of the proposed ID cards.
One critic in the opposition Conservative Party accused him of "opaque
utterances." Features are expected to include microchip biometric
data such as fingerprints or iris information, as well as photos and other
identification.
Blunkett said that though all Britons would have a card, they would not
have to carry it with them at all times. People would have to produce the
ID when requested. [Editor's note: Huh?]
For instance, Blunkett said, the identity card would be a straightforward
and verifiable way to establish the right to work legally.
Going After Taxes
The lack of a need for such identification has made Britain, and London
in particular, appealing to illegal aliens and tax dodgers looking for
work where few, if any, questions are asked.
Blunkett told Parliament that identity fraud, including black-market labor
and illegal claims for dole money and other social security benefits, is
costing the country an estimated $2 billion a year.
Some ordinary Britons backed this reasoning for such a card. "The
only people I think who are worried about it," said retired office
manager John Rawling, "are the crooks. If they won't accept identity
cards, they must be on the fiddle."
Simon Soaper, a social worker, was succinct in his opposition.
'I'll Never Carry One'
"I couldn't care less if ID cards are brought in or not." he
said. "As soon as I receive mine, I shall destroy it. I'll never carry
one, no matter what the law says."
"If you have nothing to hide," countered shop attendant Donald
Walters, "what is the big deal? The more information they could have
on, the better. The sooner they bring them out, the better, and I know
what I would say to the civil-liberties loonies."
The civil rights group Liberty said it would oppose a national identity
card. "It's unacceptable and wrong on principle," said John Wadham,
a spokesman for Liberty.
Karen Bartlett, head of the pressure group Charter 88, said packaging ID
cards as "entitlement" cards was not going to fool the public.
A card that you have to show to access services is still an ID card, whatever
spin you put on it, she said.
Copyright 2002 by United Press International.
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