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Tories warn on ID card contracts Tories launch anti-ID card push
(about 20 hours later)
The Conservatives have written to Cabinet Secretary Sir Gus O'Donnell to give formal notice that they would scrap identity cards if elected. The Conservatives are launching a print and internet campaign against the introduction of identity cards.
Shadow home secretary David Davis asked what provision there was to protect against early cancellation costs. It comes after shadow home secretary David Davis wrote to Cabinet Secretary Sir Gus O'Donnell to warn him a Tory government would scrap the scheme.
The party has also written to likely major contractors to warn them. In the letter, he asked what measures were in place to ensure that early cancellation does not hit taxpayers.
The Tories say cards will damage civil liberties, but the government insists they will improve security.
'Convention'
The letter from Mr Davis, sent on Monday, said the Cabinet secretary was "formally on notice" of the party's intentions.
It added: "You will be aware that there is a long-standing convention that one parliament may not bind a subsequent parliament.
"As you will also be aware, the Conservative Party has stated publicly that it is our intention to cancel the ID cards project immediately on our being elected to government."
Mr Davis also warned the firms likely to bid to run the ID cards project about the party's intentions.
Around £58m has been spent so far on the scheme.
Ministers say it will cost £5.4bn over 10 years, but the Tories estimate the figure will be nearer £20bn.
'Acting soft'
Critics say the cards, due in 2009 and compulsory for passport applicants from 2010, will breach privacy. But ministers say they will aid security.Critics say the cards, due in 2009 and compulsory for passport applicants from 2010, will breach privacy. But ministers say they will aid security.
'Target' Home Secretary John Reid accused Mr Davis and Tory leader David Cameron of trying to "talk tough while acting soft".
The Tories will launch a web and print-based campaign against ID cards proposals on Tuesday. He added: "They will the ends whilst constantly opposing the means to protect the people of this country."
The party says they will damage civil liberties and that the cost of production and a biometric database could run to £20bn.
The Liberal Democrats oppose the cards on similar grounds and predict they would become a "favoured target" for organised criminals.
A Downing Street spokesman refused to comment on the Tories' cancellation proposals, as they were "party political".
Cards will contain basic identification information including the name, address, gender, date of birth and photo of the holder.Cards will contain basic identification information including the name, address, gender, date of birth and photo of the holder.
Last December, the government abandoned plans for a giant new computer system to run the scheme.Last December, the government abandoned plans for a giant new computer system to run the scheme.
Instead of a single multi-billion pound system, information will be held on three existing, separate databases.Instead of a single multi-billion pound system, information will be held on three existing, separate databases.
The government says the cards will help tackle illegal immigration, identity fraud, organised crime and terrorism.The government says the cards will help tackle illegal immigration, identity fraud, organised crime and terrorism.
The would also help protect vulnerable children by allowing better background checks and improve public services, ministers argue.