Alan Reid MP (Liberal Democrat) for Argyll & Bute.

Appointed Treasurer to the All Party Internet Group in 2005. Liberal Democrat Spokesman for eCommerce. Previously had a career in computer programming and project management and holds a degree in mathematics from Strathclyde University. Qualified teacher. His interests include chess and he is reputedly Parliament’s most accomplished player.

Digital Economy Bill

Not yet contacted about the DEB.

Surgeries

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Early Day Motions

Signed Early Day Motion 263 Identity Cards 06 June 2005

That this House believes that a convincing case for the introduction of compulsory biometric identity cards and a national database has not been made, that the risks involved far outweigh any discernible benefit, that the introduction of identity cards will fundamentally change the relationship between the citizen and the state, diminish personal privacy and threaten civil liberties, that the present proposals do not provide properly costed, proportionate or effective solutions to the problems they are claimed to solve; and calls upon the Government to shelve plans for their introduction.

Signed Early Day Motion 833 Compulsory Identity Cards 07 February 2002

That this House is concerned by proposals to make ownership of a state identity card compulsory; believes that, since cards would be largely pointless unless everyone carried them, there would be inexorable pressure to make it compulsory to carry them or to empower police to arrest anyone without a card and escort them to wherever it was kept and that even then it would be of little use on tackling crime since police rarely have problems identifying suspects against whom there is evidence; also believes that any attempts to control illegal immigration by requiring people who 'look like immigrants' to prove their identity would be intolerably divisive and that forcing people to put personal information on their card would put their privacy at risk; further believes that it would give the state excessive power which could be abused and that the estimated ú1 billion cost would be better spent on more police; and further believes that such a compulsory identity card is different in kind from voluntary cards which enable people to exercise a personal entitlement such as access to their bank account or club premises.

Signed Early Day Motion 845 Freedom of Information 06 Febuary 2007

That this House expresses concern that the proposed new fees regulations under the Freedom of Information Act would allow authorities to refuse on cost grounds a high proportion of requests which they are currently required to answer; notes that the Government's consultation document recognises that this will have a greater impact on journalists, hon. Members, campaign groups and researchers than on private individuals; considers that such changes would undermine the Act's contribution to increased discussion of public affairs, accountability and trust in the work of public authorities; and calls on the Government not to proceed with the proposals.

Signed Early Day Motion 2699 Freedom of Information 10 December 2006

That this House welcomes the finding of the Constitutional Affairs Committee (HC991) that the Freedom of Information Act has `already brought about the release of significant new information and....this information is being used in a constructive and positive way' and the committee's conclusion that it sees `no need to change' the Act's charging arrangements; views with concern reports that the Government is considering changing these arrangements to permit an application fee to be charged for all requests or to allow authorities to refuse, on cost grounds, a significant proportion of requests which they currently must answer; and considers that such changes could undermine the Act's benefits of increased openness, accountability and trust in the work of public authorities.

Links

Alan Reid MP Liberal Democrat Profile
Alan Reid MP TheyWorkForYou.com
lan Reid MP All Party Internet Group Profile

News

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