IN the BEN of March 11 we read MP David Chaytor's statement about the increase of petrol tax. "There is no real argument against the principle of the road fuel duty escalator."

Fuel taxation is certainly a very effective way of raising revenue and some might even consider it to be a fair way since it hits everyone. This is because it increases transport costs, and transport costs affect the prices of all goods from food to furniture. Everything we eat, drink or use must reach the point of purchase by wheeled vehicle. Observant people will have noticed that, in the past, fuel price rises have been quoted as "inflationary factors".

Mr Chaytor seems to assume that people without cars escape the financial burdens caused by this tax. How can this be so? Transport costs affect their purchases too and, moreover, bus fares must adjust as fuel costs rise. So we cannot complain that this tax is unfair. We all contribute, although he or she who has to drive a long way to work (or take a longer bus ride) will contribute rather more than he or she who does not.

Fair it may be. But surely we must concede it to be a mite excessive? Long before the budget, the AA was complaining that the Government took 8p out of every 10p spent at the petrol pump, so now it is 80pc+. To be spent on what exactly? Allegedly the "principle" of the "escalator" is to improve the environment by discouraging road usage, but the fact is that few road users are able to cut back on their mileage. Goods must be delivered and, at present, the state of the roads ensures that hardly anyone rides about for fun. On the other hand, public transport without massive subsidy must remain inadequate to meet the needs of people who no longer live near their places of employment. The "corner shop" no longer satisfies their needs and, for most of them, a cinema or theatre visit means a journey of some miles. Time moves on. We cannot return to the horse and cart, much as this might please the organic growers. It is time to encourage those seeking environmentally friendly power sources. It is folly to think society can manage without wheels, but we need a cleaner way to make them go round. Preferably tax free.

H Partington

Park Road, Westhoughton

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.