To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what plans her Department has to make use of data on the national identity register when it is established; and what the estimated annual cost to her Department of that use is. (174031)

Communities and Local Government will be working with the Home Office prior to the introduction of the national identity scheme to establish how identity information held on the proposed national identity register might be used to provide easier access to services. It is too early in the process to establish the detailed costs and benefits.