(2) what biometric data will be included in UK documentation under the terms of Council Regulation (EC) No 380/2008 on residence permits;
(3) what EU (a) legislation and (b) proposed legislation falling within her Department's responsibilities requires personal documentation to include biometric data.
Under the UK Border Act 2007, we will be rolling out identity cards for foreign nationals from 25 November 2008, initially to some categories of those subject to immigration control who are granted limited leave to remain, including; certain types of students, spouses, civil partners and unmarried couples under the immigration rules. Over time, this card will replace existing forms of immigration documents and stamps which we currently issue to foreign nationals staying in the UK for over six months.
Identity cards for foreign nationals will enable the UK to comply with EC regulation 380/2008 which requires residence permits to be issued in a uniform format in the form of a card that contains an embedded chip that stores biometric features of the holder. The biometric information held on the card will be the holder’s photograph and two fingerprints.
EU Regulation 2252/2004 requires the future inclusion of fingerprint biometrics in passports, and is binding on those member states who are part of the Schengen area. However the UK Government intend to match the EU standards for the introduction of fingerprint biometrics into passports to maintain the reputation and integrity of the British passport. Doing so ensures that UK passports will not be seen as “second-class” among other countries which could lead to increased attempts at fraud and lead to more onerous checks of UK passports abroad, causing delays and inconvenience to travellers.