Entitlement card meeting

[Ian Brown]

PRIVACY INTERNATIONAL
PUBLIC MEETING ON THE GOVERNMENT'S PROPOSED "ENTITLEMENT CARD"

Wednesday 11th December
2.15pm - 5.00pm

The Old Theatre,
London School of Economics
Houghton Street
London WC2A 2AE

Organised by Privacy International
In association with Liberty & the Foundation for Information Policy research

Hosted by the Department of Information Systems of the London School of
Economics

In July, the Government announced a six-month public consultation on
proposals to establish a compulsory national Identity Card to establish
entitlement to benefits and services, including healthcare, welfare
benefits, education and public housing. The consultation period ends in
January. This event at the LSE will be the only public meeting during the
consultation exercise.

Speakers include Lord Falconer of Thoroton QC, Minister of State for
criminal justice, sentencing and law reform, and Stephen Harrison, Head of
the Entitlement Cards Unit, Home Office

The proposals involve issues of vital importance for everyone living in the
UK. The government envisions a compulsory registration of the entire
population, backed by a national database of "biometric" identifiers such as
digital photographs, fingerprints and retina scans. The scheme will form the
basis for the matching of personal information between government and
private sector organisations, and will involve a legal requirement to
produce the card in a wide variety of circumstances. Failure to produce your
card will likely result in denial of access to a wide range of essential
services such as healthcare and education.

Admission to the meeting is free. To reserve a seat please e-mail
london2002@privacy.org or call 020 7955 6579

Media enquiries to 07947 778 247