Lib Dem Lords derail back door ID Cards

5.37.05pm GMT Tue 29th Nov 2005

The Liberal Democrats in the House of Lords today successfully voted against the parts of the Government's Road Safety Bill (Report Stage, 2nd day) that could have the effect of creating an identity card in all but name.

Lord Bradshaw, Liberal Democrat Transport Spokesman in the House of Lords, said:

"This vote sends a clear message to the Government.

"The House of Lords will not support a reduction in the privacy of ordinary drivers for no clear public benefit.

"Those Government provisions that seek to expand information gathered about ordinary drivers are unacceptable.

"The Government is not being candid about the scope of information it seeks to collect through the proposed new licence arrangements.

"And all this at a time when the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency does not appear to have its house in order relating to selling drivers' address details.

"We will continue our principled opposition to these measures."