National Identity Register

David Davis
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) when the Government expects to publish an updated implementation timetable for the National Identity Scheme;

(2) whether she expects the target to roll-out identity cards to British citizens by the end of 2009 to be met.

Jacqui Smith
The Government remain committed to the introduction of a National Identity Scheme.

The National Identity Scheme Strategic Action Plan was published in December 2006 outlining plans to begin issuing identity cards to foreign nationals from 2008 and to British citizens from 2009.

A copy of the National Identity Scheme Strategic Action Plan can be found at:

http://www.ips.gov.uk/identity/downloads/strategic_action_plan.pdf

An updated timetable for the implementation of the National Identity Scheme will be reported to Parliament and published in due course.