Does the ID cards scheme have a 'self-destruct' button?

A Conservative MP has asked the government to reveal whether the planned ID card database will have a 'self-destruct' system which could be used in case of foreign invasion.

Anne Main MP asked the Home Office what contingency plans are being prepared for the "rapid wholesale deletion of data held on the National Identity Register in the event of invasion by a foreign power".

She also asked what plans are being prepared for the deletion of the National Identity Register in the event of a coup d'état.

The National Identity Registry will store personal information such as address, name and date of birth, as well as biometrics for identity card holders.

In a written response to the question last month, Home Office minister Andy Burnham said: "The National Identity Register will be classified as part of the nation's Critical National Infrastructure and security procedures to protect the Register will reflect this status."

He said security risk assessments have been conducted on issues such as the physical, logical, procedural, personnel and systems aspects of the identity card scheme, and said "all security aspects" of the scheme will be subject to a security accreditation process which must be passed before the scheme can be launched.

But he added: "It would not be appropriate to give more detailed information about security contingency planning for the scheme as to do so would jeopardise future integrity of such arrangements."