Lord Holme of Cheltenham

Lord Holme of Cheltenham (Liberal Democrat) Peer. Became a Lord in 1990. Died May 2008.

Issues

Surveillance and Data Collection

On launching a inquiry into the impact that government surveillance and data collection have upon the privacy of citizens and their relationship with the State.

"The nature and extent of surveillance and data collection have changed dramatically in recent years. We now have close to 4.2 million CCTV cameras in the UK and with the introduction of the NHS Spine and the ID card database the government will hold more information about us than ever before."
"The broad constitutional implications of these changes have not thus far been sufficiently closely scrutinised. As a Committee we hope to get to the bottom of how these changes are altering the relationship between individuals and the State, and to ascertain whether necessary protection is in place."

Identity cards

While releasing a critical report by the all-party House of Lords Constitution Committee which reiterates concerns about insufficient safeguards in the Identity Cards Bill. The Chairman of the Committee, Lord Holme of Cheltenham said: 24 Ocotober 2005

"Contrary to the government's assertions, the committee reaffirms that the bill fundamentally alters the relationship between citizens and the state.
"The committee firmly reject government claims that, in respect of privacy, ID cards are comparable to driving licences and passports."
"If Parliament decides identity cards are needed, it must urgently consider amendments to introduce proper safeguards."
"Parliament should not allow the home secretary such powers to administer this significant and complex scheme."

Links

News

2007-04-30 - OUT_LAW - Lords to probe surveillance society
Summary: The House of Lords will investigate whether the UK's 'surveillance society' is unconstitutional. The Lords' Constitution Committee has asked for evidence in an investigation it has launched into surveillance in the UK. ... "The nature and extent of surveillance and data collection have changed dramatically in recent years," said Lord Holme of Cheltenham, Chairman of the Constitution Committee. "We now have close to 4.2 million CCTV cameras in the UK and with the introduction of the NHS Spine and the ID card database the government will hold more information about us than ever before."
2007-04-30 - Kable - Lords look into state surveillance
Summary: The House of Lords Constitution Committee has launched an inquiry into government surveillance and data collection. It will focus on the impact upon the privacy of citizens and their relationship with the state. Lord Holme of Cheltenham, chairman of the Constitution Committee, said: "The nature and extent of surveillance and data collection have changed dramatically in recent years. We now have close to 4.2m CCTV cameras in the UK and with the introduction of the NHS Spine and the ID card database the government will hold more information about us than ever before." "The broad constitutional implications of these changes have not thus far been sufficiently closely scrutinised. As a committee we hope to get to the bottom of how these changes are altering the relationship between individuals and the state, and to ascertain whether necessary protection is in place."
2005-10-31 - BBC - ID cards plans begin Lords test
Summary: Controversial plans for identity cards have begun what is expected to be a rocky ride in the House of Lords. ... "Parliament should not allow the home secretary such powers to administer this significant and complex scheme" Lord Holme of Cheltenham
2005-10-24 - BBC - Lords warn over ID cards scheme
Summary: The House of Lords Constitution Committee report has criticised the lack of safeguards in the government's Identity Cards Bill. ... In the report, Liberal Democrat Lord Holme of Cheltenham said: "Contrary to the government's assertions, the committee reaffirms that the bill fundamentally alters the relationship between citizens and the state." "The committee firmly reject government claims that, in respect of privacy, ID cards are comparable to driving licences and passports." "If Parliament decides identity cards are needed, it must urgently consider amendments to introduce proper safeguards." "Parliament should not allow the home secretary such powers to administer this significant and complex scheme."
2005-10-25 - OUT_LAW.COM - Identity Cards Bill has inadequate safeguards, says Parliamentary Committee
Summary: The all-party House of Lords Constitution Committee has published a critical report which reiterates concerns about insufficient safeguards in the Identity Cards Bill. But with a curious history lesson, the Government was quick to reject its comments. ... In introducing the Report, the Chairman of the Committee, Lord Holme of Cheltenham, stressed that the Committee is not concerned with the merits of the Bill – only its constitutional impact. "Contrary to the Government’s assertions, the Committee reaffirms that the Bill fundamentally alters the relationship between citizens and the State,” he said. This largely arises because the Committee feels that the legislation needs to be "future proofed" against what it describes as "the potential for abuse of the registration scheme by officials of the State claiming to act in the public interest." Lord Holme continued, "The Committee firmly reject Government claims that, in respect of privacy, ID cards are comparable to driving licenses and passports."
2005-10-24 - UK Parliment - Identity Cards Bill has inadequate safeguards according to lords constitution committee
Summary: The all-party House of Lords Constitution Committee today publishes a critical report which reiterates concerns about insufficient safeguards in the Identity Cards Bill. The Bill was passed by the Commons on 18 October and introduced in the House of Lords on 19 October. It is likely to be debated on Monday 31 October. The Chairman of the Committee, Lord Holme of Cheltenham, said: "Contrary to the Government’s assertions, the Committee reaffirms that the Bill fundamentally alters the relationship between citizens and the State." "The Committee firmly reject Government claims that, in respect of privacy, ID cards are comparable to driving licenses and passports." "If Parliament decides identity cards are needed, it must urgently consider amendments to introduce proper safeguards." "Parliament should not allow the Home Secretary such powers to administer this significant and complex scheme."
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