I am writing after having read the very interesting article penned by your columnist Barrie Hudson. Initially, I was reasonably for the idea of ID cards.

However, after examining what is involved in the whole scheme I have become very much against them.

Barrie correctly identifies the ID supporters' unified mantra that the database state will reduce crime and terrorism.

Indeed, it is usual to hear said supporters quote any current adverse situation in the news as being something that this ID card will address.

However, I find the same people are totally unable to provide any information that supports their claims.

Their insistence that it will reduce benefit fraud is absolutely unfounded, as it is known that the greatest drain to the benefit system is in fact people being economical with the truth about their personal circumstances rather than who they are.

This idea of a database State cannot address this issue, in fact it can only make it far easier for people to lie, due to the phenomenal amount of information generated in the gather phase for the database creation. In essence the lies become buried under a mountain of truth.

It is also widely acknowledged that a more significant danger is the inevitable increase of crime when this database is compromised.

I base this on discussions with people who work with databases and all state that it is impossible this system could remain accurate and secure.

Any compromise of this system will lead to the utter decimation of the lives of those who are victims of such a breach.

It's not like my credit card information being stolen, I can do something about that - I can change my card.

With the theft of my information from this system I would potentially be consigned to a lifetime of misery at the hands of criminals, for I cannot change me.

Among the plethora of things that are stated as being something that a database state could stop Barrie also identifies terrorism as an entity that could be combated.

It takes little imagination to realise the sheer insult to one's intelligence in such statements as this when it is understood that one or all of the London bombers could have legitimately had ID cards.

If someone wishes to strap explosives to themselves and set them off in public places I am at a loss to understand how putting the nation on a database is going to stop it.

The idea that this Government can achieve this exercise is best reflected on how efficiently they manage the 80,000 prisoners in a closed, secure system.

The number of mistakes, escapes and failures in that system are consistently reported in the news.

How then can this Government and the supporters of ID stand up and claim they have an answer to maintaining the integrity and security of a database of 60 million people in an open, insecure, and fluid system?

It is obvious that it is impossible. What is reprehensible is the estimated £200 cost each person in this country needs to pay to expose themselves to the ineptitudes of repeated Government failures.

I applaud Barrie for stating those things that need to be stated.

I remain appalled at the continued intransigence of the MPs we elect to represent us against good reason proposed by professionals who, when not involved with capital gain from this stupidity, decry the system as an inevitable failure.

P Bridge.

Swindon