FRED Shawcross's idea of diverting lottery money into the NHS isn't very original, but nevertheless makes good sense.

When every hospital in the country has all the ultra modern hi-tech machinery, beds and well trained staff, to deal with any emergency, then maybe we should consider funding opera and ballet companies, orchestras, or theatres that don't finance themselves.

Why doesn't the Government ask the people who buy the lottery tickets what they want?

Fred's idea of legalising drugs again wasn't original. In my letter published on the August 14, 1998. I suggested exactly that, even comparing the situation today in this country, to Prohibition in the USA, just as Fred did in his article.

Brian Derbyshire

Ribchester Grove, Bolton

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