ID CARDS FOR FOREIGN NATIONALS 25th Nov2008.

ID CARDS FOR FOREIGN NATIONALS.

ID CARDS FOR FOREIGN NATIONALS pushes ahead.

“THESE CARDS WILL NOT MAKE OUR COMMUNITIES MORE SECURE”

WISHART ON PHASE ONE OF ID CARDS

As the UK Borders Agency today (Tuesday), begins issuing non-EEA nationals and their dependents granted leave to remain in the UK with ID cards, SNP Home Affairs Spokesman, Pete Wishart MP has repeated his misgivings over the scheme.

Mr Wishart said:

“The SNP has opposed ID cards from Day One. They are unwanted, expensive and unnecessary.

“The UK Government’s abysmal record on data protection is reason enough to cancel the scheme altogether.

“These cards will not make our communities more secure, they will not reduce the terrorist threat and they will not make public services more efficient. Making foreign nationals the guinea pigs in this scheme is also regrettable.

“The UK Government looks even more absurd pushing ahead with this costly project given the dire state of the economy.

“ID cards are a waste of money which would have been better spent supporting the frontline services which actually make a difference to the people of Scotland.”