http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/04/12/uk_passport_fingerprints/
John Lettice
"Mandatory fingerprinting of new UK passport applicants is to begin next year, as a 'building block' for a future ID card scheme. The Government's ID Card Bill was spiked after the election was announced, but the Government is said to contend that as passports are issued under royal prerogative, it doesn't need legislation to demand fingerprints from passport applicants."
