'Bury bad news' claim on ID cards

Anthony Butcher · 24-06-2005, 12:01 AM

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4123442.stm

Quote:

Opposition MPs have accused Leader of the Commons Geoff Hoon of trying to "bury bad news at sea" in timing a debate on ID cards when many are away.
The first vote on the government's controversial scheme is on Tuesday, the same day many MPs will mark the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar.

Conservatives said many would find it hard to attend and said coverage would be overshadowed by celebrations.

Mr Hoon argued MPs could attend both events, as he intended to do.

'Conspiracy theorising'

Next week's debate will be the second reading of the bill and the first real test of mood since an almost identical bill was abandoned before the General Election.

The Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and some Labour MPs are expected to oppose the plans, which are likely to face a stormy passage in Parliament.

Tory MPs said many members would be marking the 200th anniversary at the International Fleet Review in the Solent, which begins the Royal Navy's commemorations of the historic battle.

Julian Lewis said media coverage of the Trafalgar event would overshadow the Commons' debate on the highly controversial ID card proposals and accused the former defence secretary of seeking to "bury bad news at sea".

Mr Hoon said he would be both taking part in the celebrations and voting at the end of the debate.

Opposition

He said he was "somewhat surprised" to hear of MPs' difficulties and was sure that members would be able to watch the Fleet Review and still be back in time for the vote - at 2200 BST in the evening.

He dismissed as "conspiracy theorising" any suggestion that the two events had been put on the same day on purpose.

Last week Home Secretary Charles Clarke moved to dismiss claims that the controversial ID cards would cost £300 to buy.

The estimate was made in a report due to be published by the London School of Economics and differs from the figure of £93 put forward by the government.

Before the election 19 Labour MPs rebelled over the earlier bill on third reading. It was abandoned after the poll date was announced.

gus · 26-06-2005, 03:47 AM

Im not going to be buying one anyway.

Alex McKee · 26-06-2005, 10:02 AM

Have you signed the pledge gus? It's at http://www.pledgebank.com/refuse

WindupMerchant · 26-06-2005, 10:24 AM

Tax credits fiasco firm 'set to win' ID contract

Controversial US computer firm behind the tax credits overpayment fiasco is a front-runner to win the UK's multibillion pound ID cards contract, Scotland on Sunday can reveal
Tax credits fiasco firm 'set to win' ID contract

http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com...m?id=703962005

mkpdavies · 26-06-2005, 10:36 AM

I have full experience of working with them with my old company.

Be afraid. Be very afraid.

WindupMerchant · 26-06-2005, 10:43 AM

If a company has already had a government contract and is proven not to be up to the job ie. tax credit system. How is it they are favourites to get the ID system up and running? It always makes me wonder about who personally gives these contracts and what happens behind closed doors 8)

26-06-2005, 10:36 AM	#5 (permalink)
mkpdavies Uber Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Woking Posts: 30,604	I have full experience of working with them with my old company. Be afraid. Be very afraid. __________________ http://brits4ronpaul.blogspot.com/ http://wokinglibertarians.blogspot.com/ http://lpuk.org My ignore list Labour, Blue Labour, Lib Dems

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26-06-2005, 03:47 AM	#2 (permalink)
gus Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 12	Im not going to be buying one anyway.

26-06-2005, 10:02 AM	#3 (permalink)
Alex McKee Moderator Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Gloucester Posts: 6,621	Have you signed the pledge gus? It's at http://www.pledgebank.com/refuse

26-06-2005, 10:24 AM	#4 (permalink)
WindupMerchant Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 1,508	Tax credits fiasco firm 'set to win' ID contract Controversial US computer firm behind the tax credits overpayment fiasco is a front-runner to win the UK's multibillion pound ID cards contract, Scotland on Sunday can reveal Tax credits fiasco firm 'set to win' ID contract http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com...m?id=703962005

26-06-2005, 10:43 AM	#6 (permalink)
WindupMerchant Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 1,508	If a company has already had a government contract and is proven not to be up to the job ie. tax credit system. How is it they are favourites to get the ID system up and running? It always makes me wonder about who personally gives these contracts and what happens behind closed doors 8)