DEAR EDITOR -- The Government is considering compulsory ID cards.
The security 'argument' is a flimsy excuse -- ID cards wouldn't have stopped the New York suicide bombers, and will not deter criminals who can easily steal or forge them. Instead they will inconvenience millions of ordinary people and threaten our civil liberties.
Ministers have in fact been considering them well before recent events. Computer Weekly (13.1.2000) reported that high in the Passport Agency's priorities was a 'photo-card passport' by 2002, subject to ministerial and European agreement. Also government officials undertook to participate 'as necessary' in any work concerning national identity cards and refused to comment on ruling out legislation.
By coincidence, the Government then committed to a Europe-wide programme to introduce smart cards that would identify us personally -- multi-use cards to get NHS treatment, pay for road use etc. Where is it all leading to and where was the public consultation?
The cost of introducing ID cards has been estimated towards £500m plus £100m every year. That's money that won't be going into public services. It means foregoing several major new hospitals, tens of thousands of operations and decent pay for our nurses.
After public protest, Australia, New Zealand and the USA all dropped plans for ID cards. Readers should lobby their Member of Parliament before it's too late and send an SAE for our free fact sheet, c/o PO Box 13199, London SW6 6ZU.
Brian Mooney,
New Alliance,
PO Box 13199,
London, SW6 6ZU.
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