It is time that we had some common sense here. It is true that there are concerns about the future, but this Bill is not about Orwellian control or surveillance. That will not be the case. Technology is always frightening, but, on balance, the optimistic view of the world wins...

It is time that we had some common sense here. It is true that there are concerns about the future, but this Bill is not about Orwellian control or surveillance. That will not be the case. Technology is always frightening, but, on balance, the optimistic view of the world wins...

My point would be there, although that suggests that 10 years down the line more legislation might be added. We are here and now. In addition, the language that some people have used about Orwellian control and surveillance is not common sense. We need to connect more with the reality of...

My point would be there, although that suggests that 10 years down the line more legislation might be added. We are here and now. In addition, the language that some people have used about Orwellian control and surveillance is not common sense. We need to connect more with the reality of...

I was responding to the comments made in relation to Orwell and surveillance, which seemed to me to exaggerate unnecessarily people’s fears about the Bill. That is my point. In debating these kinds of measures at this time, it is important to retain a sensible, realistic and common-sense view of matters,...

I was responding to the comments made in relation to Orwell and surveillance, which seemed to me to exaggerate unnecessarily people’s fears about the Bill. That is my point. In debating these kinds of measures at this time, it is important to retain a sensible, realistic and common-sense view of matters,...

I simply say that it was not I who was going further. Let us keep this matter grounded on a common-sense basis.

I simply say that it was not I who was going further. Let us keep this matter grounded on a common-sense basis.

I did not mention DNA.

I did not mention DNA.

It may have been the point of the amendment, but it was not the point of the comments that followed from it.

It may have been the point of the amendment, but it was not the point of the comments that followed from it.

Both the previous speakers—the latter with great emotion—were arguing for freedom. We have to ask what greater freedom is there than the freedom to place a vote for a political party in a ballot box upon the basis of a mandate and a manifesto. That is the crux of it:...

Both the previous speakers—the latter with great emotion—were arguing for freedom. We have to ask what greater freedom is there than the freedom to place a vote for a political party in a ballot box upon the basis of a mandate and a manifesto. That is the crux of it:...

The most important part of our democracy is the fact that this is mandated by the manifesto. There are two parts to this: the manifesto commitment, which we must adhere to, and the issue of opinion polls, which I did not raise. Other noble Lords raised them and I am...

The most important part of our democracy is the fact that this is mandated by the manifesto. There are two parts to this: the manifesto commitment, which we must adhere to, and the issue of opinion polls, which I did not raise. Other noble Lords raised them and I am...

My understanding is that the public want more compulsion, not less, and they want this done quickly, not slowly. The noble Lord is out of step with the public.  They want it done because they know the world is changing and that there is fraud, terror and identity theft. They...

My understanding is that the public want more compulsion, not less, and they want this done quickly, not slowly. The noble Lord is out of step with the public.  They want it done because they know the world is changing and that there is fraud, terror and identity theft. They...

If the noble Lord had had an identity card he would have been all right.

If the noble Lord had had an identity card he would have been all right.

I am afraid the noble Earl is out of date. If he thinks that is happening and that kids in London are going round the place with neat little ID cards and it is all working perfectly; of course it is not. They are making them up all over the...

I am afraid the noble Earl is out of date. If he thinks that is happening and that kids in London are going round the place with neat little ID cards and it is all working perfectly; of course it is not. They are making them up all over the...

No polling of any kind has been conducted which has shown that a majority of people do not favour identity cards. Sometimes the lead is larger, sometimes it is smaller, but always identity cards are favoured. The Government’s own polling makes it clear that at a cost of, say, £93 or...

No polling of any kind has been conducted which has shown that a majority of people do not favour identity cards. Sometimes the lead is larger, sometimes it is smaller, but always identity cards are favoured. The Government’s own polling makes it clear that at a cost of, say, £93 or...