DARWEN MP Janet Anderson has spoken out in favour of ID cards -- proposed in the Queen's speech yesterday.

Mrs Anderson said: "ID cards will give people a simple and secure means of verifying their identity and will provide the means to tackle a wide range of problems of concern to my constituents in Rossendale and Darwen.

"These include illegal working, tackling immigration abuse, strengthening security by disrupting the terrorist and organised criminal use of false and multiple identities, ensuring free public services are only used by those entitled to them and helping to protect people from identity theft.

"Those who suggest this would threaten out privacy should be reassured that information held will be strictly limited and subject to tight controls. Only Parliament will be able to extend or change information held."