PAUL Blanchard fails to put across any valid argument for the introduction of ID cards (Letters, December 30), which is not surprising as I have yet to hear one politician put across an acceptable case for the introduction of such a scheme.

The main argument used is that it will reduce the chances of a terrorist attack. Yet Spanish ID cards did not stop the bombings in Madrid. And they will not stop any attack in Britain.

If the Government wants to reduce the risk of attack, it should cut itself off from George W Bush's "war on terror".

The 80 per cent support Mr Blanchard refers to is from a Mori poll held long before the debate hit the mainstream.

Those questioned were not asked if they were willing to pay £85 for the privilege of carrying such a card.

On November 25, the audience of Question Time showed 80 per cent opposition to such a scheme.

Bearing the brunt of ID cards will be black and Asian people. Stop and search for Asian men has soared since the war on terror was declared.

The compulsory introduction of ID cards will increase harassment of ethnic minorities.

We must remember that the State should be responsible to the people and not the other way round.

Andrew Collingwood,

Turners Croft,

York.

Updated: 08:47 Monday, January 03, 2005