Remaining Stages of Identity Documents Bill (To Abolish)

Minister for Immigration, Damian Green, introduced the report stage and third reading of the Identity Documents Bill in the Commons. The Bill passed its remaining stages.

Report stage

The report stage gives MPs an opportunity, on the floor of the House, to consider further amendments (proposals for change) to a Bill which has been examined in committee.
There is no set time period between the end of committee stage and the start of the report stage.

What happens at report stage?

All MPs may speak and vote – for lengthy or complex Bills the debates may be spread over several days.
All MPs can suggest amendments to the Bill or new clauses (parts) they think should be added.

What happens after report stage?

Report stage is usually followed immediately by debate on the Bill’s third reading

Latest news on the Bill

During ping pong, the Bill travels back and forth between the two Houses, until both Houses agree on the text of the Bill. The Bill returned to the Commons for consideration of Lords amendments on 14 December. Consideration of Commons amendments will take place in the Lords on 21 December.

Summary of the Bill

The main purpose of this Bill is to abolish identity cards and the National Identity Register; it repeals the Identity Cards Act 2006. There are no provisions for refunding existing cardholders. A small number of provisions in the 2006 Act – unrelated to ID cards – reappear in the Bill. These cover offences relating to the possession and manufacture of false identity documents such as passports and driving licences. The Bill also re-enacts data-sharing provisions in the 2006 Act designed to verify information provided in connection with passport applications. Identification cards for non-EEA nationals are not affected by the provisions.

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