Permits will not use iris scans

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The first residence permits to be issued to foreign nationals from next year will not contain iris information, the Home Office has said.

The first cards will now rely on other biometric tests, such as facial recognition and fingerprints.

The development will provide fuel for critics who argue plans for a national biometric ID card are not on track.

Tony Blair said in November all non-EU nationals will need ID cards to work or access public services from 2008.

Mr Blair has said that capturing fingerprint and iris scans electronically will provide an opportunity for more secure protection of personal identities.

Critics say the technology is flawed, pointing to problems with a pilot project using iris recognition at Heathrow airport last year.

A Conservative MP said earlier this week that air passengers were facing major delays because of the scheme and that it had failed half of its assessments in an official report.

But the Home Office says problems have been dealt with and the scheme is still being rolled out at other airports and is not being ruled out as an option for the national ID card scheme in the future.

There has been vehement opposition to the ID card scheme, with its opponents saying it breaches civil liberties and that the cost of the biometric database and production of the card will cost many billions.