MANCHESTER ID CARDS LAUNCH TOTAL FOLLY AND A WASTE OF MONEY - STUNELL

11.35.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 6th May 2009

Jacqui Smith's announcement today confirming the launch of the government ID card scheme across Greater Manchester has been branded "total folly" and a "waste of money" by Liberal Democrat MP Andrew Stunell.

In a written statement to the House of Commons, Ms Smith announced that Greater Manchester would pilot the scheme from this autumn.

Commenting, Andrew Stunell said:

"The government's ID cards scheme is illiberal, ill-thought-out and a complete waste of money.

"The government has proven time and time again in recent weeks and months, with a procession of lost laptops that they just can't be trusted to look after our personal data.

"Since the scheme is only for Greater Manchester it is total folly as well. Any so-called voluntary scheme is pointless, especially when it only covers one area of the country.

"Rolling out the trial programme in only one area is fatally flawed - when stopped by Police and asked to produce their ID Card all the bad guys need to say is 'I'm not from round here', so what's the point?

"Instead of ploughing on with this deeply flawed, and increasingly unpopular scheme, the government should scrap it immediately and use the money to put 10,000 extra police officers on our streets."

ENDS