SIR: The recent decision by the "Fat Cats" in the privatised utilities to push ahead with new bonus schemes, despite opposition from shareholders, shows how out of control these people are.

This government has always argued that by privatising the utilities they are distributing power throughout the shareholders. However, we now see that this is utter rubbish.

Instead of being controlled by Parliament, those companies are now a law unto themselves. They do whatever they want, whether it be awarding themselves massive pay rises, or sacking a few thousand workers.

It is often confusing to understand why the government allowed this to happen - until we find out that companies like Thames Water are major donators to the Conservative Party!

Mrs P Ferguson,

Dentdale Close,

Beaumont Road, Bolton.

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