ID cards for all 'by 2008'

ID cards could be made compulsory for all Britons as early as 2008 under a tough new timetable being considered by the Cabinet.

The plan emerged after Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir John Stevens said he believed cards are needed to fight terrorism and illegal immigration.

Sir John urged: "The sooner they're brought in the better, and as a professional police officer I have to tell you we need them."

Reports today claimed the timetable was being pulled forward in the wake of the Madrid bombings and the immigration crisis.

Last autumn the Government said it would not decide until 2013 whether to make cards compulsory, although it would begin preparations much earlier. But support was said to be growing for a "big bang" where everyone would have to possess a card by 2008.

Eliza Manningham-Buller, head of MI5, and Sir David Omand, the Government security and intelligence co- ordinator, briefed ministers on the need for cards last week. But the Cabinet split deepenedafter Trade and Industry Secretary Patricia Hewitt warned there must be clear evidence that cards would benefit the public.

Ms Hewitt, one of the leading opponents of the scheme which is being pushed by David Blunkett and Tony Blair, said the issue was far from settled. "Putting fingerprints on passports and driving licences all makes a great deal of sense," she said. "My view is that if we are going to make it compulsory for everybody to have one, even if they don't need it for those other purposes, we need to be absolutely clear that will deliver additional benefits."