Last tuesday evening, I wrote to Kate Hoey (Labour) MP for Vauxhall using the write to them service (which is fab - give it a try).
Kate replied really quickly - I got the letter on Friday, here's my fax and her letter:
Me
Tuesday 17 May 2005
Dear Kate Hoey,
First of all, congratulations on your recent re-election. Secondly,
thank you for your recent letter regarding ID Cards (more specifically
informing me that the government had dropped the bill due to lack of
Parliamentary time).
I do have to question how the government managed to squeeze through the
necessary paperwork to have fingerprints included on UK passports,
despite "lack of Parliamentary time". This especially concerns me as
fingerprints are not yet required internationally and have questionable
security benefits. Further I am concerned that the many offices set up
by the ever-growing government to administer fingerprints have also
been earmarked for ID Card administration. One may presume that neither
programme would warrant such infrastructure, but it can easily be
implemented when both are considered.
You will note that of course, ID Cards are not yet (publically, at
least) anything more than a proposal. I wonder if you could enlighten
me as to this seemingly contradictory situation?
Given today's Queens Speech, which proudly set out plans for ID Cards,
and of course the changed seats in the House of Commons, can I still
rely on you to oppose any ID Card scheme?
Yours sincerely,
Kate Hoey
Thursday, 19th May 2005
Dear Mr Bolton,
Thank you for contacting my office about ID cards, and also for your kind words about my re-election.
I am concerned as you are that the Government is clearly laying the groundwork for ID cards before the actual policy comes before Parliament, and the issue of fingerprints on passports is one element of this.
As to my position, you will pleased to know that I have not come across any reason to change my opposition to ID cards, and intend to continue to oppose any such scheme.
Please feel free to contact me again on this or any other matter.
Yours sincerely,
Comment
Nice to see she still opposes ID cards. Provided the party whips don't get too keen, she would appear to be one less in the Labour majority. The turn of phrase she uses sounds a bit less-than-committal, but I guess she sort of has to do that. Curious that she absolutely does not tow the party line on the prequel to ID cards though.
Remember kids: No to ID!