The draft law is expected to appear in January next year. In a 12-page document "Identity Cards: Next Steps", published the day before by the UK Home Office, the head of the department, David Blunkett, explains for the first time how he intends to implement the phased introduction of compulsory identity documents.
According to the draft law, identity cards are planned to be introduced in two stages. First, a national identity register will be created, and passports and driving licenses will be developed using biometric technology. Biometric identity cards will be introduced for 4.5 million foreign citizens living in the UK.
The law will determine who has the right to access the database, so that citizens' right to privacy is not violated. When the technology proves its effectiveness, the transition to compulsory identity documents will be made. This will require debates and voting in both houses of parliament.
The national identity register will be created over three years and will cost 186 million pounds. It will include only basic identification information: name, date of birth, sex, immigration status, personal number, and biometric data such as iris scans or fingerprints. Biometric information will be stored on a microchip embedded in the card and in the national identity register.
In Europe, debates continue over which biometric information is best to include in the card. According to the European Commission, to ensure maximum security, the card must include fingerprints of all ten fingers. But current cards can only include two fingerprints, which significantly increases the error rate. Britain prefers the iris, since in this case the error rate is zero.
• You can learn more about the innovations by visiting themed websites about England. There, those interested can also explore the most popular tourist routes around London, Cambridge, Manchester and other British cities, as well as learn about the peculiarities of national traditions and English cuisine.
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