So Steven Philippsohn thinks identity cards have 'numerous and obvious' advantages (see [2005] Gazette, 9 June, 16). He is one of life's optimists.


Privacy International claims the cards discriminate against disabled people, up to four million of whom will not be able to use them.


A report by the London School of Economics suggests the government has hugely underestimated the cost of the card readers - rather than the £250 to £750 it has budgeted for, units could cost £3,000 to £4,000 each.


There is a classic category mistake being used to justify this, the greatest invasion of privacy by any government at any time. Identity fraud is a bad thing but ID cards will do nothing to stop it. You will not need to present an identity card when using the Internet (most card fraud is 'cardholder not present'). You will not need to present it at cash machines (also a ripe source of fraud).


Professionals will be able to fake them, as they have every other sort of document. All it will do is allow government agencies to aggregate data on citizens; if you look for safeguards in the Bill against misuse of that information by all and sundry in public service, you will not find any.


This solicitor will go to jail rather than submit to ID cards.


Paul Heritage-Redpath, Abingdon, Oxfordshire