Mr. Billy Hawkes:

Done properly and with the full consent of the person concerned, it can be very positive to have a card which facilitates access to services. Again, it is down to how it is used, what protections are in place and what degree of control there is. This is an issue that will come before the Houses by way of proposals for a new health identification card. We already have it in the public services card. It is an area in which we are actively following the issue with a view to ensuring people's rights are respected, that they have the maximum control over what is included in such a card and, in particular, that there is proper security for the data contained on such a card.