FOR much of the time John Blunt puts rational views, but his article aimed at the grey-haired brigade (LET, December 22), suggesting the government be more selective about handing out heating allowances to men over 60, takes some stomaching.

He says it makes him wince to see his tax slip. That applies to most working men, including the ex-workforce of wrinklies.

He quotes figures to justify his point of view, but that is only a small amount when you consider the total waste of money on endless projects, and, of course, we hand money out to refuge-seekers and Third World needs like money has gone out of fashion.

Everyone will benefit at some time or another, but who deserves it better than our own population?

We won't work forever and we should not add to the already-implemented means-testing to get our rights.

K SOWERBUTTS (Mr), Southwood Drive, Baxenden.

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