MPs approve ID cards

The government's proposals for national identity cards were approved by the Commons last night.

Although more than a quarter of MPs didn't vote, and both Labour and Conservative rebels attempted to derail the legislation, Charles Clarke survived his first major test as home secretary.

The bill was given a second reading by 385 votes to 93, a government majority of 292.

A wrecking amendment proposed by Tory and Labour rebels seeking to deny the bill a second reading was rejected by 306 to 93, a government majority of 213.

Nineteen Labour MPs voted against the bill while ten Tories ignored Michael Howard by refusing to endorse the plans.

A further 72 Conservative MPs, nearly half the parliamentary party, did not attend.

All 55 Liberal Democrats voted against the plans, claiming the plans are costly, illiberal and ineffectual.

David Blunkett, who resigned last week, voted with the government but did not speak.

The new home secretary promised to examine "every constructive suggestion" that would improve the bill.

Speaking in the Commons, Charles Clarke insisted however that the new legislation would not erode civil liberties.

"There is an entirely false claim that ID cards will erode our civil liberties, will re-visit 1984, will usher in the Big Brother society or establish some kind of totalitarian police state," he said.

"Quite apart from the security advantages, there will be enormous practical benefits," he argued.

"ID cards will potentially make a difference to any area of everyday life, where one already has to prove one's identity."

"A secure identity scheme will help to prevent terrorist activity - more than a third of which makes use of false identities," he added.

"It will make it far easier to address the vile trafficking in vulnerable human beings...it will reduce identity fraud, which now costs the UK more than £1.3 billion every year."