SIR: I take exception to the innuendo in Mr Wilkinson's letter last month. Comparatively speaking we have no poor people today when compared with the years 1910/20. Lloyd George and his five shillings per week was to be a help in retirement not a wage. The National Pension was never meant to be a living wage. Our parents advised us to save for our old age. Betting, drinking, bingo and ready foods are luxuries.

The social change has been tremendous - from poor law, workhouse, lodging house, today we have Social Services with all its branches. Eighty years ago families looked after their aging relatives, today's get into a rest home; the Government (Social Services) will pay. You paid taxes, you are entitled to claim!

In the 1930s the basic rate of pay for engineers was 56 shillings. Bolton Corporation being 'good employers' paid 61 shillings.

I am aware that today a family is poor not to have a telephone, radio, television, car, camera, camcorder, central heating, auto washing machine, microwave oven, fridge, video etc.

Mr Wilkinson, I do not play with politics, I count my blessings. I consider Mr Major a straightforward clean-living man who has the well-being of this country at heart.

BN Haulgh

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