Public 'in the dark' over ID cards

An influential group of MPs has criticised ministers for keeping the public in the dark over identity cards.

The Home Office's plans for the cards - due to be introduced in around two years' time - are "inconsistent" and "lacking clarity", according to the Science and Technology Committee.

It also expressed scepticism about the cost estimates put forward by the Government, describing them as politically motivated.

The comments came in a report by the cross-party committee looking into into progress of technology for the project.

The MPs said that there was confusion over what the scheme would entail because not enough details had been released, and that it was "crucial" to increase "clarity and transparency".

"In order to clarify when and how the card might be used, we recommend that the Home Office releases more information regarding what personal data will be revealed in different scenarios, including in an online context.

"Until this information is released, it is difficult to ascertain the true scope of the scheme and to fully understand how technology will be used within the scheme." The committee said consultations undertaken with the public and business had been "unclear in their objectives".

ID technologies such as biometrics - digitising unique personal characteristics such as fingerprints - information and communication technology (ICT), and smart cards also seem to be treated "inconsistently".

"Whilst the Home Office has determined some aspects of the scheme such as the biometrics, it has left other aspects such as the structure of the database undetermined," they said.

"Its decisions demonstrate an inconsistent approach to scientific evidence and we are concerned that choices regarding biometric technology have preceded trials."