To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much her Department expects will be spent on the national identity card scheme in its (a) first and (b) second year of operation. (240926)

The National Identity Scheme Cost Report gives a breakdown of the estimated cost of implementing the scheme over the next 10 years. The latest report was published on 6 November 2008.

An electronic copy of the report may be found at:

http://www.ips.gov.uk/identity/downloads/IPS-Cost-report-Nov2008.pdf

I would refer the hon. Member to that report.