Cameron accuses PM of ID card doubt

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At Prime Minister's questions (PMQs) in the House of Commons, Mr Brown stressed that any move to compulsion would depend on a vote in Parliament, sparking speculation among MPs that he may be preparing to back away from the policy he inherited from his predecessor Tony Blair.

But Home Office minister Meg Hillier later insisted that Mr Brown had not changed the Government's policy on the controversial cards, and had left no doubt he was committed to them.

"Absolutely definitely ID cards are going ahead," Ms Hillier told BBC Radio 4's PM.

"He has made it very clear that he is committed to it, certainly in the work that I am doing with him. We are working full steam ahead to make sure we have ID cards out there."

Speaking at PMQs, Mr Cameron said the Government was in "full retreat" on its plans to making ID cards compulsory for everyone, and demanded to know if Mr Brown still supported the policy.

Mr Brown replied: "That is the policy but it's a matter for Parliament to decide after we've looked at the voluntary system in place."

The Tory leader accused Mr Brown of failing to give a "straight answer" on ID cards. "The question is why you cannot give a straight answer on identity cards," said Mr Cameron. "What's your personal view? My personal view is that I'm against compulsory identity cards. Are you in favour, yes or no?"

Mr Brown replied only: "It is the Government's policy to move ahead with this but subject to a vote of Parliament, depending on how the voluntary scheme works."

In a letter, Mr Cameron later told Mr Brown that anyone watching PMQs "will have been left in considerable doubt about whether you personally support compulsory ID Cards and will recommend this approach to the House of Commons".