OPPOSITION, on the grounds of civil liberties, to ID cards lacks credibility.

Everyone over the age of 16 has an ID code issued by the Government in the form of a National Insurance number.

And there can be only a few people in the country who do not carry some form of plastic ID card in the shape of a bank card, credit card or store loyalty card.

The advantages of having an official ID card in opening bank accounts, going on holiday and getting goods on credit far outweigh the disadvantages.

Any measure which can help counter benefit fraud and people-trafficking is to be welcomed.

It is clear that law-abiding citizens have nothing to fear from such ID cards.

But do these advantages justify the massive expense?

The Home Office is unwise to place too much emphasis on the role the ID card will play in the fight against terrorism. At best it will have a negligible impact.

As atrocities across the globe have shown, there is no evidence of ID cards deterring a committed, ruthless and sophisticated international terrorist.

The Home Secretary is unwise to accuse critics of his proposals as woolly, liberal thinkers.

It is entirely appropriate for people to weigh up the cost of introducing the card against the benefits it will bring.

It is woolly thinking on the part of Mr Clarke not to consider whether the fight against terrorism would be more enhanced by investing the £6bn earmarked for ID cards on improved policing and intelligence.