Joan Ryan the Home Office Harpy

David Davis: Microsoft’s National Technology Office says that ID cards could “trigger massive identity fraud”, and one of the FBI’s leading identity fraud consultants said that the ID card could be replicated perfectly by criminals within six months —[ Interruption. ] I notice that Labour Back Benchers seem to think that they are more expert than Microsoft and the FBI. In order for the House to be sure, can the Minister guarantee that the ID card will be 100 per cent. secure against fraud—yes or no?

Joan Ryan: The right hon. Gentleman might next blame burglary on burglar alarms. It is a ridiculous contention. Can anybody say that anything is 100 per cent. secure? Opposition Members would have every reason to be sceptical if any Minister made such a claim. ID cards will be a crucial weapon in fighting terrorism, organised crime and identity fraud. The right hon. Gentleman will also know that the information on the card will be kept to a minimum—that which is required. It is biometrics that are so crucial and that will tie a person’s identity, meaning that, by testing the biometrics, we can know with absolute confidence that a person is who they say they are. The right hon. Gentleman needs to look again at what policies he has, or has not, for tackling this most serious matter. He will find that the identity cards programme is a valid and viable way forward, and one that the public of this country welcome and support.

I HESITATE to provide yet more worrying news about the Home Office. We all know, thanks to the ray of sunshine that is the new Home Secretary, John Reid, that it is not “fit for purpose”. Yesterday, at Home Office Questions, I found myself wondering if it could ever be fit for anything at all.

The reason for this despair was Joan Ryan. She is the junior minister responsible for the introduction of the government policy of ID cards.

Actually, junior makes her sound too senior. She is more at pre-school levels. What was John Reid thinking? I would not put her in charge of lawnmowing, much less anything else. I am sure that when faced with the vexed mowing question of “stripes or no stripes” she would have to set up a public-private working group and report back next year.