SO interesting to read in your columns (Bolton Evening News, January 10) about the unidentified Housing Director who earned about £70,000 in 1998, and now, as the Chief Executive of a Social Housing Group, earns double that.

Could Brian Iddon MP have had a local example in mind, I ask myself.

Or, to frame the question in different terms - what is the salary currently being paid to the Chief Executive of Bolton at Home? And if this shows a significant increase on his former earnings as Director of Housing, who recommended the increase, on what basis, and who gave it political sanction?

I do not recall such possibilities being considered when the formation of an Arm's Length Management Organisation was first mooted. And, given that such increases rarely take place in isolation, what increases are being, or have been, paid to other senior officers within that organisation, by comparison with their former Local Authority emoluments?

Similarly, perhaps we might also be advised what remuneration, if any, currently accrues to the Chairman and members of the ALMO Board, and how this compares with the special responsibility allowances paid to the former Chairman and ViceChairman of the Housing Committee, when that body was responsible for running the local authority's social housing provision?

Perhaps the Chairman of the Board of Bolton at Home, whoever he is, could advise us, preferably before next June.

Peter Johnston

Kendal Road, Bolton