The government has banned the release of advice given by Lord Goldsmith, the attorney general, to cabinet ministers on whether the controversial bill to introduce ID cards for 55 million British citizens will invade people's privacy or human rights.

The disclosure comes as ministers today face a revolt from Labour MPs and opposition politicians over plans to introduce ID cards. MPs will today be asked to accept a blanket assurance from the former home secretary, David Blunkett, that "the provisions of the identity cards bill are compatible with the European convention of human rights".