15 SEPTEMBER 2001, Page 32

The pros of ID cards

From Mr Clive Kaye Sir: Like many liberal commentators Matthew Parris (Another voice, 8 September) dismisses all thought of identity cards without considering the ancillary advantages offered by modern technology.

Apart from making deception more difficult, identity cards could save many lives by the additional, voluntary inclusion of other information. This might include illnesses and medical conditions, next of kin and, not least, willingness to donate organs if killed. This could solve the problem of insufficient donors at a stroke.

Clive Kaye

Nottingham