Strasbourg, 21/06/2007 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday, the Parliament adopted the consultation report by Carlos Coelho (EPP-ED, Portugal) concerning the establishment of a uniform model for permits to stay, issued by member states to third country nationals living within the Schengen Area. The report relates to an amended proposal presented by the Commission in March 2006. The format chosen for such permits is an individual card that can be processed electronically and contain biometric data, namely a digital photo of the holder's face and digital fingerprints. The Parliament is in favour of using biometric data in so far as this will contribute to limiting fraud and forgery, but trusts the data will be subject to strict security requirements, equivalent to those defined for national identity cards. Also, the data must only be consulted by specific authorities. MEPs also withdrew the provision relating to the introduction of an electronic microchip for storing additional information with a view to combating illegal immigration. They consider that the protection and security-related guarantees for sensitive data are not sufficient. (bc)