Holyrood puts ID cards plan under scrutiny

UK Government plans to introduce compulsory ID cards were set to go under the spotlight at Holyrood today.

MSPs were also to discuss the controversial issue of DNA retention during a Liberal Democrat-led debate at the Scottish Parliament.

A motion put forward by the party's justice spokeswoman, Margaret Smith, calls on the Scottish Government not to allow the UK ID database to access personal information held by authorities north of the Border. And it spells out the party's position that there should be no blanket retention of DNA samples.

Her motion also calls on the Government to ensure that all data protection procedures are secure.

It comes a month after HM Revenue and Customs lost two CDs containing the data of 25 million people and amid growing fears over internet identity fraud.

Following the security breach, Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced checks on the handling of data by every government department and agency.