ANDREW Hall rambles on, aimlessly and without realism, about Hitler, Stalin, Mao, Churchill, Roosevelt, Mussolini, Mugabe and Pope Pius XII, (Letters, Wednesday, January 12).

Freedom of the subject is of great importance. Had ID cards been introduced in better, more peaceful times, that would have constituted an unwarranted intrusion into people's privacy.

Nowadays, alas, most middle-aged and elderly people avoid being on the streets after 6.00pm if they can, for fear of attack by mobsters.

Even so, many folk are afraid of being mugged in their own homes even. What kind of "freedom" do you call this, Mr Hall?

Preservation of human life is of greater importance even than freedom.

If the introduction of ID cards saves only one life, such measures will be morally justified.

D E MARGRETT,

Worcester.