From The FT:
Sir, With reference to Sue Cameron’s Notebook (Wanted: Champion earner for old rope, February 4), the advertisement for the National Identity Scheme commissioner makes abundantly clear that this is not a "selling job for ID cards". The commissioner will be an independent regulator who will act in the interests of the public.
When people talk to me about identity cards, one of their most frequent concerns is how they can be sure their data will be secured safely. The commissioner will have oversight of this, reporting at least once a year to parliament. The government is committed to genuine independence and powers of scrutiny for this role.
Meg Hillier, Minister for Identity, London.
"Act in the interests of the public"? Hmmm. How about just not having ID cards in the first place? What could possibly go wrong?
On a related topic, half a cheer for Chris Grayling of the Tories, who appears to oppose the travel data scheme, although whether out of principle or because it simply won't work on a technical level, is unclear.
About That Closet
9 hours ago
4 comments:
Well that's me convinced.
"Minister for Identity" - FFS! I KNOW who I am. Why do I need you to identify me?
We'll have Ministry of Truth next.
Lola beat me to it. When they cost this accursed ID/NIS database do they include the dead head of the bureaucrats? If we have a minister then that means a whole department of civil servants to pander to their ego's.
Re Travel IDs, have any of your overseas Brits looked at registering their presence with the local Embassy? What used to be a simple card system containing your name, local address, phone number and a contact number of a relative in case of emergency, has now turned into a computerised centrally (in London) controlled 6 page form asking for all sorts of quite irrelevant information about your travel plans, when and where you will be going, who with, and when you will be back in-country.
Why? (and please no answers about it's in your interests for us to know where you are).
Post a Comment