BRADSHAW Conservative Walter Hall, must be congratulated for his recent BEN letter praising the Government for its £21B investment package into the NHS. Pensioners are also among the poorest and most vulnerable people in Britain, yet the Conservatives raised VAT on their fuel bills to 8pc, after attempting to raise it to a shocking 17.5pc. This, together with other cuts, has contributed directly towards worsening health for many elderly people.

I agree with Mr Hall, readers should contact their MPs, but first ring the remaining Tory MPs and ask them why they imposed these measures in the first place. Then ask Mr Hague why he and his party opposed Labour's reversal of them.

Cllr Paul Fitzpatrick

Everdrom Road, Bolton

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