To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department with reference to the answer of 11 November 2009, Official Report, column 430W on identity cards, how many people in Greater Manchester have requested an identity card; and what proportion of the total eligible population of Manchester this represents. (300339)

Up to and including 20 November, approximately 2,445 people from the Greater Manchester area have expressed an interest in continuing to be updated about the National Identity Service via the Early Interest Website.

Since 20 October, 749 people have made an appointment to enrol in Greater Manchester for an identity card.

From 30 November, in Greater Manchester, approximately 1.7 million people will be eligible to apply for an identity card.