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'Database Schema for the National Identity Register'.
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Mr Ian Darling
Email: [FOI #23709 email]
Reference: FOICR 13410/10
Date: 19 February 2010
Dear Mr Darling
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST
I am sorry for the delay in replying to your email of 24 November 2009, in which you ask for information on the National Identity Register. Your request has been handled as a request for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
I am able to disclose some of the information that you requested, as set out in the enclosed Annex.
In keeping with the Freedom of Information Act, we assume that all information can be released to the public unless it is exempt. In line with normal practice we are therefore releasing the information which you requested via the Identity and Passport Service website.
If you are dissatisfied with this response you may request an independent internal review of our handling of your request by submitting a complaint within two months to the address below, quoting reference 13410/10.
Information Access Team
Home Office
Ground Floor, Seacole Building
2 Marsham Street
London SW1P 4DF
e-mail: [email address]
As part of any internal review the Department's handling of your information request will be reassessed by staff who were not involved in providing you with this response. Should you remain dissatisfied after this internal review, you would have a right of complaint to the Information Commissioner as established by section 50 of the Freedom of Information Act.
Yours sincerely
H Reid
Parliamentary & Correspondence Management Team
ANNEX
Following the news that the National Identity Register is now "up and running", I would like some information on the database schema for the Register:
1. Table and Column definitions
2. Primary Keys and Foreign Key Relationships
3. Table Indexes
Including other relevant database meta-data such as descriptions or diagrams relating to these items.
I am happy for this information to be provided in the "Data Definition Language" of the database software used, if/where this is appropriate.
Your Request
Response
I can confirm that the Identity and Passport Service holds the information that you requested. However I am not obliged to disclose it to you. After careful consideration we have decided that this information is exempt from disclosure by virtue of Section 43(2) of the Freedom of Information Act. This provides that information can be withheld where disclosure would or would be likely to prejudice the commercial interests of any person holding it.
Public interest test
The Identity and Passport Service (IPS) is keen to further the understanding of, and participation in the debate of issues of the day. It is also keen for individuals to understand decisions made by public authorities affecting their lives and to assist individuals in challenging those decisions. However, due to contractual considerations, we are unable to release the information as this forms part of the supplier solution which contains Thales know how and intellectual property which are commercially sensitive and, in addition, would be likely to prejudice the commercial interests of the supplier and IPS. The disclosure could result in giving competitors the information to reproduce the design, in whole or in part and then make a lower bid for renewal to current contracts or other similar contracts.
We have carefully considered the balance of the public interest test and concluded that, in this case it is in favour of non-disclosure.
We are able to provide a list of the information that is recorded on the National Identity Register. The Identity Cards Act provides the power for information to be recorded on the NIR and lists the kind of information which either must be recorded, or may be recorded, on the NIR and as such, outlines the kind of information that could be recorded
In terms of what is then recorded on the NIR, much of that information is already in the public domain and in particular, is outlined in the application guidance notes, the application form or the identity cards website on DirectGov (http://idsmart.direct.gov.uk).
However, in order to be helpful, we have included a short guide to this information. We have also included the relevant weblinks for your reference where you can get an application pack and further details.
It should be noted that not all of the information listed may be recorded for an individual as some items may not relate to them. For example, an individual's record will not record a previous name if you have never changed your name.
Personal Details:
Page 30 of the guidance notes lists the key items of personal information that are recorded on the NIR following a successful application. These consist of approximately 10 - 15 items of personal information, depending on the applicant.
Fields relating to biographic information reflect the fields requested on the application form, whilst the security and biometric details are recorded at an enrolment appointment at a National Identity Service Customer Centre. A history of changes to such details after you get your card is recorded (e.g. following a change of name). The guidance notes also highlight that a National Identity Registration Number will be allocated to your record.
ID Card Details:
A record is kept on the NIR of any identity card issued. This records the information that appears on the card (available in the guidance notes or the Direct Gov website).
This also includes any observations that it was necessary to make on the card. A list of possible observations is available in regulation 3 of the Identity Cards Act 2006 (Prescribed Information) Regulations 2009 (available at: http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2009/uksi_20092794_en_1)
In addition, a card status is maintained (e.g. issued, cancelled) as well as the date and details of the report of any lost or stolen identity card.
Administrative Information:
Page 30 of the notes also highlight that the NIR will contain administrative information regarding your application and how it is processed. Much of this is provided with your application - i.e. delivery address, referee's details, parents' details for nationality confirmation and the details of supporting documents provided.
In addition, at an enrolment appointment, an applicant will record answers to shared secret questions which will be recorded on the NIR in a hashed format.
However, further fields are populated during application processing. These are as follows:
Application Processing:
Application statuses and type, which records timestamps, as the status moves from one part of the application process to another, as well as a status which records the final decision taken and the final status of the record.
Payment Details (reference, amount and type)
A record of any correspondence with an applicant that relates to the case
The date, time and location of any appointments with the applicant
Any case notes that details what steps the examiner reviewing the application has taken to complete the review and make a decision
The name of the case worker assigned to the application
Verification Checks:
Result and approval for each of the biometric, biographic uniqueness, social footprint and referee checks.
Details and scans of the supporting documents required to support the application and an approval of the document check.
Where an authentication interview is required, the interview profile, an audio recording of the interview and the result of the interview is recorded.
Audit Information:
Finally, Page 30 of the notes highlight that we record audit data. There are two types of audit data:
Our systems record the activity of our staff in processing an application and then how the information on the NIR is subsequently processed. This records the step taken, the staff member who took it and when it took place.
We also make a record of particulars of when any information is provided from a record to an approved body.
Passport Adviceline: 0300 222 0000 (07.00 - 23.00 seven days a week).
Email us at [Identity & Passport Service request email]. Visit our website at www.ips.gov.uk.
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Headquarters
Parliamentary & Correspondence Management Team
8th Floor, Globe House
89 Eccleston Square
London
SW1V 1PN
Tel (0207) 901 2426
Fax (0870) 336 9175
Email [Identity & Passport Service request email]
Web www.ips.gov.uk