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PUBLIC KEPT IN DARK OVER ID CARDS SAY MPS
TWO separate reports have accused the Government of keeping the public in the dark over its controversial ID cards scheme.
The Home Office claim that the project would cost half that predicted by independent researchers has also come under fire.
Plans for the cards were "inconsistent" and "lacking clarity" about how they might be used, according to a Commons select committee report out today.
Meanwhile, Information Commissioner Richard Thomas found analysis of the scheme was being unfairly kept secret and ordered details to be made public.
The latest setback to hit ID cards, due to be introduced in two years, came as Tony Blair insisted at his monthly press conference he would press on with them.
The Commons Science and Technology Committee found there was confusion over what the scheme would entail and it was crucial to increase "clarity and transparency".
In its report, MPs said it was not known what personal data would be revealed in different scenarios.
"Until this information is released, it is difficult to ascertain the true scope of the scheme," they said.
It also found decisions had been made about biometric technology before it had been trialled.
MPs were "sceptical" about the official estimated annual running costs of £584 million.
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