Launch of Biometric Passports gives the lie to ID card arguements
The BBC announces the Home Office’s launch of the first biometric passports, curiously on the same day that Labour peers will argue that the introduction of ID cards and the National Identity Register in 2009 are necessary for this move to take place.
The new passports will be fully compliant with ICAO regulations, including a digital version of the holders photograph on a chip embedded in the passports. The cost of the new passports has risen to £51 to cover the cost of this new technology.
Have the Home Office shot themselves in the foot? Only this morning Andy Burnham claimed on the Today Programme that the introduction of the NIR was simply something that would be done anyway because of the introduction of biometric passports. Hours before he was commenting to the BBC on their successful launch with no NIR. One thinks perhaps Burnham is speaking out of both sides of his mouth. Which other issues does he take such contradictory stances on?
The £51 cost of the new passports also reveals the government claims that passport price hikes to £93 would be needed to meet the ICAO requirements are a bare faced lie by Home Office ministers.
We now have passports which meet the ICAO standards and allow us to remain in the US Visa Waiver Scheme. Further use of such arguements to justify the introduction of ID cards will be a stunning display of contempt for the British people and parliament.
March 6th, 2006 at 19:32
See the above link for Des Browne’s letter of 2004
March 8th, 2006 at 00:06
Ironically during a visit to the Home Office recently I was standing at the front desk when Des Browne showed up for a meeting. Even he had to show some form of identity in order to gain access to what pretty much amounts to a medieval fortress. Oh how we laughed…
These people feel it is normal to have to show ID at every turn. Is this because their word really is no good?
March 8th, 2006 at 11:15
Three Cheers for the Home Office!
HMG have been swearing blind for ages now that a main reason why we absolutely must have ID Cards and the National Identity Register is to ensure that we comply with the new International Civil Aviation Organisation passport standards, and remain in the
August 14th, 2006 at 10:54
[...] through passport control, where the immigration officer gave me a sales spiel for the new biometric passports. I smiled weakly and told her I’d think about it, but she kept going on about [...]