The Lords had called for a detailed report setting out a cost estimate over a 10-year period for all Government departments, not just the Home Office, and for anyone else carrying out functions under the legislation. In addition, it demanded that the cost estimate be examined by the Comptroller and Auditor General who must prepare a report for Parliament.
According to Home Secretary Charles Clarke, the cost of the combined ID card and passport would be £93 whilst the stand-alone ID card would be £30.
The costs of the scheme have been contested by the London School of Economics (LSE). It produced a report criticising the Government's costings last month, claiming that the actual cost per card would be £300. Following its pubilication, the House of Lords asked that the ID card scheme halt until the full costs were known and verified.
Acknowledging the costs concerns, Labour MP Frank Dobson suggested that the Government produce a report every six months. This amendment was approved without the need for a vote. It relates only to Home Office costs and does not address, for example, NHS costs of changing systems to connect to the ID card database, or for performing checks on it. Private sector costs, when they arise, will also be excluded.
MPs also voted yesterday to force people to acquire an ID card when they get a new passport. As of 2008, anyone applying for or renewing their passport will also have to pay for an identity card. This appears to contradict a pledge in the Government's manifesto: "We will introduce ID cards, including biometric data like fingerprints, backed up by a national register and rolling out initially on a voluntary basis as people renew their passports."
The Bill will now go back to the House of Lords where further amendments may be made.
