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Tory plans to cut 'surveillance' Tory plans to cut 'surveillance'
(about 7 hours later)
The Conservatives have set out plans to reverse what they describe as "the rise of the surveillance state".The Conservatives have set out plans to reverse what they describe as "the rise of the surveillance state".
They have pledged to scrap two new databases - the ID card register and ContactPoint - and strengthen the powers of the Information Commissioner.They have pledged to scrap two new databases - the ID card register and ContactPoint - and strengthen the powers of the Information Commissioner.
The Conservatives say they want to restore public trust in the use of personal data by the state.The Conservatives say they want to restore public trust in the use of personal data by the state.
Their proposals come after a series of security breaches and concern about the amount of information that is held.Their proposals come after a series of security breaches and concern about the amount of information that is held.
The National Identity register - which underpins the ID card scheme - would be scrapped, as would the ContactPoint database, which holds details of 11m children and young people. The National Identity register - which underpins the ID card scheme - would be scrapped, as would the ContactPoint database, which holds details of 11 million children and young people.
Other proposals include ensuring that government departments are routinely audited by the Information Commissioner, who would be required to report to Parliament. Other proposals include ensuring that government departments are routinely audited by the information commissioner, who would be required to report to Parliament.
'Worst of all worlds''Worst of all worlds'
Shadow justice secretary Dominic Grieve, speaking at the launch of the party's Reverse of the Surveillance State policy document, said: "No-one is suggesting we should not harness IT or surveillance technology to strengthen public protection.Shadow justice secretary Dominic Grieve, speaking at the launch of the party's Reverse of the Surveillance State policy document, said: "No-one is suggesting we should not harness IT or surveillance technology to strengthen public protection.
The state has encroached on the privacy of the innocent citizen, but delivered precious little in return Dominic Grieve, shadow justice secretaryThe state has encroached on the privacy of the innocent citizen, but delivered precious little in return Dominic Grieve, shadow justice secretary
"I am not amongst those who nostalgically yearn for some luddite return to a pre-technological age. But, the government's approach to databases and surveillance powers is the worst of all worlds. Intrusive. Ineffective. And enormously expensive." "I am not amongst those who nostalgically yearn for some luddite return to a pre-technological age. But, the government's approach to databases and surveillance powers is the worst of all worlds, intrusive, ineffective and enormously expensive."
He also criticised a new vetting system for volunteers which he said aimed to "protect the public through automated systems".He also criticised a new vetting system for volunteers which he said aimed to "protect the public through automated systems".
But he said: "Over-reliance on the database state has proved a woefully poor substitute for human judgment and care on the frontline of public service delivery.But he said: "Over-reliance on the database state has proved a woefully poor substitute for human judgment and care on the frontline of public service delivery.
"The state has encroached on the privacy of the innocent citizen, but delivered precious little in return.""The state has encroached on the privacy of the innocent citizen, but delivered precious little in return."
DNA recordsDNA records
He said the money currently spent on surveillance and building databases would be better spent on more "visible" policing, stronger border controls and increasing the number of prison places. He said money spent on surveillance and building databases would be better spent on more "visible" policing, stronger border controls and increasing the number of prison places.
And he set out five basic principles guiding Tory policy in this area: "Fewer mammoth databases, that are better run. Fewer personal details held by the state, stored accurately and on a need-to-know basis.And he set out five basic principles guiding Tory policy in this area: "Fewer mammoth databases, that are better run. Fewer personal details held by the state, stored accurately and on a need-to-know basis.
"Greater checks and personal control over the sharing of our data by government. And stronger duties on government to keep our private information safe.""Greater checks and personal control over the sharing of our data by government. And stronger duties on government to keep our private information safe."
The Tories would have more credibility as opponents of the Big Brother state if they were not planning to reduce checks on police surveillance Chris HuhneLib Dems
The Tories are also planning to restrict the storage of DNA records of innocent people, after a ruling from the European Court of Human Rights.The Tories are also planning to restrict the storage of DNA records of innocent people, after a ruling from the European Court of Human Rights.
The government has consulted on its own DNA reforms, and is due to publish the results shortly.The government has consulted on its own DNA reforms, and is due to publish the results shortly.
Home Secretary Alan Johnson said: "The cases of criminals like Kensley Larrier and Abdul Azad demonstrate that we need to retain information on the DNA database."Home Secretary Alan Johnson said: "The cases of criminals like Kensley Larrier and Abdul Azad demonstrate that we need to retain information on the DNA database."
Kensley Larrier is a rapist from the North of England who was convicted in 2005 on the strength of a DNA sample taken from him three years earlier when he was arrested for possession of an offensive weapon. Larrier is a rapist from the North of England who was convicted in 2005 on the strength of a DNA sample taken from him three years earlier when he was arrested for possession of an offensive weapon.
Abdul Azad was convicted of a rape committed in Stafford on the strength of DNA evidence taken from him a year earlier in Birmingham when he was arrested for violent disorder.Abdul Azad was convicted of a rape committed in Stafford on the strength of DNA evidence taken from him a year earlier in Birmingham when he was arrested for violent disorder.
For the Liberal Democrats, Chris Huhne said: "The Tories would have more credibility as opponents of the Big Brother state if they were not planning to reduce checks on police surveillance.
"The party that first backed ID cards and whose councils snoop with enthusiasm is not to be trusted with privacy or civil liberties."