The UK is starting small-scale trials of identity cards that carry biometric information (iris patterns etc). If the trials are successful they will be launched over the next few years and probably become compulsory. How do members view the idea of carrying an ID card and do you already have anything similar? My objection is paying the proposed cost of £35 (around US$60).

I cannot believe that the UK has managed so long without a form of photo identity mandatory. As some of your driver's licences do not have photos if you got them at a certain time, I just wonder how on earth it works out.
And as not absolutely everyone has a license like in California or other US states (or the photo ID from the DMV or department of motor vehicles if you cannot drive for some reason) I just don't see how people were able to conduct business without a bit more info.
I just had to show two forms of identity the other day here in the States. Plus as credit card theft is rife, they ask for ID for using a credit card and check the signature.

Technically that would enable you to travel in the EU without a passport too, if memory serves me well. The French national ID was valid for that purpose in the past.

I have to carry a photo ident card for work and would have no objection to carrying an identification card with biometric evidence (or even a blood, DNA) evidence on it - providing it doesn't cost me anything to get it. My Drivers licence has done me proud for XX years it's an old pink UK one that doesn't have any picture or any thing else apart from a 20 year old signature - the fact that it's time aged (faded on the outside - pristine inside - and the creases show it's never been used) is enough for most purposes and I really object to the fact that because I'm changing my address then I'm going to have to pay to get photographs and then pay to get the the license changed because the Authorities have changed the rules - I consider it enough to inform them of the change
but then again I've got to tell the Vehicle Licensing I've changed adress or it's an offense, I have to tell the Local Government Voter registration I'm moving or it's an offense and tell the Local Governement I'm moving to that I've moved or it's an offense. Surely that's at least 4 posts/visits that could be done in one to a central source with a single ID card.

Hong Kong has had ID cards , essential for all citizens over 11, for many years. I cannot think how people manage without them .They are very quick and convenient when you want to use the bank, shops Government offices etc. They just type in your number and up comes everything they need to know. Lately we are changing over to Smart Cards (world's first multi-application mandatory ID card), which will be great, especially for frequent travellers, as you just press it onto a plate and go through immigration into China.They will be used in the libraries, doing away with all that queueing up for stamping.They are free for the first one, if you lose it it is about 30 pounds.
Maybe it is intrusive , but at least it is of help in law enforcement and the catching of illegals.I am all for them.

Personally I object to the goevrnment forcing me to hold one of these things: furthermore given New Labour's slavish devotion to PPP's in all things, do you want a bunch of idiots like Capita (who have cocked up every single government contract they've been awarded - Criminal Records Bureau for example) holding that amount of your information? It brings to mind the likes of the DNA database in Iceland which I recall reading about some time ago (perhaps someone else remembers this? A G2 article I think...) which became available to private companies...

Lorenzcurve - no one is forcing you to have one in the UK - it's only a proposal by the Government, As I said earlier, I've been ID'd since I was born, add to that the numbere that identify me since I started to work and all the horrendous photo's I've had to carry on ID tags - - I say lets go the whole hog and have your Id, bank card , driving license, and credit cards all in one card carrying you signature, fingerprints and blood group and DNA, (but don't blame me when you can't pay the food bill at the supermarket because one of them doesn't agree with the computer record (The next time I sign anything will not in any way shape or form be the same as a signature on a the card = it changes according to my mood) - I can make it totally unreadable if I want to - but it's still me that signed it!))

True, it is currently only a proposal, however if the scheme is brought in then it will perforce be either compulsory to carry a card or if the government goes down the "entitlement card" road, effectively compulsory.

I've still to hear one argument that would convince me of a single benefit of such a scheme - I don't use credit cards (too expensive), don't drive (I care about the environment), carry one debit card and am not in the habit of carrying my passport around with me: how would I benefit from carrynig an ID card? Furthermore, as I mentioned in my initial post, are you comfortable with all of that information being held by a private company with an apalling PPP record?

Lorenze - I'm quite happy with any company knowing my medical history, criminal record, etc etc etc(I don't have any records of any note, my doctor has difficulty finding the envelope with 3 pages in it!, They had to go back 30 years to find a Credit Record, and my only conviction was driving a car to a garage to have new tyre fitted, the day the law came into force! . ) - What good it will do them is a matter of conjecture - If they don't supply the service at a reasonable cost they will lose the buisness. Lost customers means lost income which means no buisness!
Yes I can find historical and family records that would place me in the "vulnerable" groups but I'm not about to pay over the odds for a service because of that and most companies know that.

And if the ID card means I get the right treatment in an emergency (Do not resucitate after the age of 70 and use anything usable to help someone else) then it can't be all bad!