COUNTY COUNCIL TO DEBATE FINGER-PRINTING CHILDREN: TOMORROW (Cheltenham Liberal Democrats)

Cheltenham Liberal Democrats <info@cheltlibdems.org.uk>

COUNTY COUNCIL TO DEBATE FINGER-PRINTING CHILDREN: TOMORROW

March 27, 2007 12:42 PM

Gloucestershire's Liberal Democrats are demanding an inquiry to determine whether the county's schools are taking the finger prints of local children. The Group have submitted a motion to tomorrow's meeting of full council to debate taking action.

The Liberal Democrat call for action follows widespread outrage across the country at news that 3,500 schools have taken the finger prints of 750,000 children - often without parental consent.

The biometric data of children as young as three years of age is being taken using Library Information Systems sold to schools by private companies. The data is used to control access to books and other school facilities. Local Education Authorities across the country are unaware of the number of schools using these systems in their region. The Liberal Democrat motion demands an inquiry into the existence of finger-printing in Gloucestershire's schools as well as measures to oppose the practice.

Liberal Democrat group leader, Cllr Jeremy Hilton, will propose the motion. Cllr Hilton said: "It is extremely worrying that schools are taking the finger prints of children and I can only hope that this practice has not spread to Gloucestershire. It is essential that we establish how widespread the finger-printing of school children has become, and if it is common in Gloucestershire then our motion calls for immediate action to reverse that trend."

Cllr Hilton added: "I am concerned that the finger prints of children in Gloucestershire could have been taken in our schools without either parental knowledge or the consent of the Local Education Authority. Once taken, that data can fall into anyone's hands and there is no guarantee it will be destroyed. The Liberal Democrats view this as an abuse of the fundamental human rights of the youngest and most dependent members of our community, and it poses a long term risk to their future privacy. I hope that Labour and Conservative councillors will do the right thing and follow the Liberal Democrat lead on this issue."

Cllr Charmian Sheppard, Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Children and Young People, will second the motion. Cllr Sheppard said: "I am especially worried that children may be excluded from school activities if they refuse to allow their finger prints to be taken, and I think it is vital that parents and the County Council be informed about any finger-printing taking place in Gloucestershire's schools. Our motion not only calls for a full investigation but also a policy against this practice and the encouragement of other local authorities and our local MPs to take action against it. We also hope to see the County Council write to the Secretary of State for Education calling for immediate government action against this practice."