The government has suffered another reverse over identity cards.
This time, the House of Lords voted against plans to force all passport applicants from 2008 onwards to acquire an ID card.
Proponents of the measure argued that the combination would improve national security and access to public services. However, critics said the plan goes against Labour manifesto promises to make ID cards voluntary for now.
Home secretary Charles Clarke said Labour would press ahead with the plan and try to overturn the defeat by the Lords.
Meanwhile, the first British passports with chips including facial recognition biometrics are being issued this week.
