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Note added at 10 mins (2003-09-14 22:38:43 GMT)
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Meanwhile, it transpires that a project team led by the Office of National Statistics is conducting research into the feasibility of a national population register. The team is due to report to the Cabinet at any moment. Quite why this study into the feasibility of a national population register - the \"Citizen Information Project\" as they call it - has followed rather than preceded the consultation on so-called \"universal entitlement cards\" is open to conjecture.

Liberty very much hope that the Government does the sensible thing and retreats from introducing ID cards, but this research into a national population register is worrying. We are particularly concerned that investigation into the possibility of a national database will be used to push the ID card argument. Unfortunately, it sometimes seems that the debate over ID cards is to be had over and over again. So far, Liberty and our partner organisations have won each battle. With the support of Liberty\'s members and other supporters from across the political spectrum, we are determined to continue to do so.

http://www.liberty-human-rights.org.uk/issues/id-cards.shtml

http://www.cbs.gov.il/mifkad/lasman.htm

http://www.hagstofa.is/template44.asp?pageid=328

http://www.gcrio.org/CONSEQUENCES/summer95/population.html

:)

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Note added at 2003-09-14 22:41:03 (GMT)
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Here is a good link:

A **civil registry** is a list of basic information, such as name, gender, nationality, age, marital status, and address, on all citizens which is maintained by the state. Inclusion on the list is mandatory and citizens are required to provide updated information as appropriate to the officials who maintain the list (typically the Ministry of the Interior).

http://www.aceproject.org/main/english/vr/vra04.htm