Dystopian vision
The police have long had powers to stop and question anyone they suspect of involvement in a crime. So what can be the point of new police powers suggested by the government? Are they suggesting it is a good use of scarce resources for the police to spend time checking identities of people they "don't" suspect of any involvement in crime? Andy Burnham MP, when minister for ID cards, said: "It is part of being a good citizen, proving who you are, day in day out." Mr Blair and Dr Reid are clearly determined to bring this dystopian vision closer to reality.

Geraint Bevan, NO2ID Scotland, 3e Grovepark Gardens, Glasgow.

Apples and oranges
Kerr MacGregor (May 26), in comparing Scotland's potential for hydro electricity with that of Norway, is comparing apples with oranges. Norway has what Scotland lacks: abundant, dependable snow which melts slowly providing water for hydro schemes. I am full of admiration for the success of the old Hydro Board in exploiting hydro power to the benefit of the north of Scotland but it harnessed virtually all of the economically viable hydro potential. Talk of doubling our production of hydro power is fanciful.

Andrew Mitchell, 4 Glenpark Avenue, Prestwick.

Change for the better
I found David R Yule's comments on the arrest of Barbara Green (Letters, May 26) worrying and patronising.

Mr Yule stated that if people did not follow the "democratic way"

then it would lead "to anarchy, disruption, violence and disorder". However, history shows us that when a law is morally wrong, certain steps must be taken in order to change it.

If we followed Mr Yule's advice, we would still be in the situation where women could not vote, Britain would still be involved in the slave trade, the poorhouse would be overflowing and the window tax was due. Sometimes you just have to say no. Ask Rosa Parks.

J Anglim, Celts Street, Inverness.