While reading the article called 'Registering fears' about the amount of information that people could obtain about me if the draft Identity Cards Bill is ever passed (see [2004] 17 June, 17), I began to wonder how much you could learn about me by inspecting the various cards that I carry about in my wallet.

You would find my business card, giving details of my firm's address and other contact details, and also the fact that I am a member of the Law Society and the duty solicitor scheme. You would discover that I am a grade 1 hockey umpire and a fully-paid up member of Brigg District Lions Club - and that I have been a member of the RAC since 1983. You could deduce to which mobile phone network I subscribe (from my top-up card) and also which supermarkets I use (from loyalty cards). You would also find my donor card, which authorises donation of organs when I die. This card also tells you my wife's name as next-of-kin, with our home telephone number (which is in the telephone book anyway).


Do I mind if people know all this information? Frankly, no. Do I want to be compelled to pay £35 so that people can easily access this information? Again, emphatically, no.



Steven Baggott, Mason Baggott & Garton, Brigg, North Lincolnshire