| NEWS |
Monday February 5, 2007 |
Conservatives formally pledge to cancel ID card scheme
David
Davis has written to Cabinet Secretary, Sir Gus O'Donnell, giving
formal notice that an incoming Conservative administration would scrap
the Government's costly ID card project.
And the Shadow Home Secretary has warned of the financial dangers of
the Government signing contracts to set up the ID card scheme when it
faces cancellation if the Conservatives are returned to power at the
next election.
In his letter, Mr Davis asked what provision, if any, has been made in
the relevant contractual arrangements to protect the Government - and
public funds - against the costs that would be incurred as a result of
early cancellation of the scheme; with a similar letter fired off to
likely major contractors, warning them of the Party's intentions.
Just hours before the Conservatives launch a web and print based
campaign against Labour's ID Cards proposals, Mr Davis told Sir Gus:
"As you will be aware, the Conservative Party has stated publicly that
it is our intention to cancel the ID card project immediately on our
being elected to government. You are now formally on notice of our
position and fully appraised of the contingent risks and associated
liabilities arising from the national identity card scheme."
Referring to the planned roll out of the Government's national identity
card scheme later this year, Mr Davis reminded the Cabinet Secretary of
the longstanding convention that one Parliament may not bind a
subsequent Parliament.
He wrote: "I urge you to consider very carefully the Government's
position, in advance of the roll-out of the scheme later this year. As
a matter of financial prudence, it is incumbent upon you to ensure that
public money is not wasted, and contractual obligations are not
incurred, investing in a scheme with such a high risk of not being
implemented.
"In particular, I would be interested to know what provision, if any,
has been made in the relevant contractual arrangements to protect the
Government - and public funds - against the costs that would be
incurred as a result of early cancellation of the scheme.
Click here to read more about the campaign
Extract of
http://www.conservatives.com/tile.do?def=news.story.page&obj_id=134901
as of
6 February 2007.
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