THE Government has just announced details of the ID card scheme.

Fifty-one items of data about each individual will be held. This information will be sold to private companies, employers and financial institutions as well as being made available to most Government bodies.

In other words almost anyone in the country will be able to find out about your most personal details in spite of what the Government says about privacy.

Initially, it is voluntary but even then you will not be able to get a passport, driving licence, pension or benefits without it.

Within a short period of time it will be compulsory to apply for an ID card. Every time you move, you will have to tell the Government of your new address and you will have to apply for a new ID card - paying a fee. If you fail to do any of these things you will be fined thousands of pounds.

The estimated cost of introducing the system has already doubled to nearly £6bn pounds before it has even started.

MARK STARR,

Leigh Sinton.