Gov't told to release ID card reports

LONDON, June 9 (UPI) -- Britain's information commissioner has ordered the Blair government to release reports on the benefits of planned identity cards.

The government has 30 days to decide whether to appeal, Sky News reported.

"The public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in maintaining this exemption," Commissioner Richard Thomas said.

The Liberal Democratic Party said information on the ID cards compiled by the Department of Work and Pensions should be available to the voters. The government argued that releasing the information could jeopardize negotiations over contracts to supply the cards.