THE Chancellor has expressed an interest in how the public think we should cut our deficit.

May I suggest that a good start for our nation's financial savings — and a great example to the population — would be to reduce the size of the House of Commons.

We have 650 MPs for a population of 70 million. The USA has 457 Congressmen for a population of around 240 million. This is a representation roughly one fifth of ours.

You can just imagine the length of debates, and their intellectual level, with that membership. China would have a legislature of over 12,000 on the same basis.

America is a very successful country so perhaps we could learn from their minimalist approach to government.

We have a whip system therefore MPs cannot vote independently on many issues, so total numbers are irrelevant.

MPs are very expensive, even without the exaggerated expenses, I propose that we cut our House of Commons to a membership of, say 140. This would give us an immediate saving of many millions of pounds and give a powerful example to our nation.

It is unlikely to damage our governance.

Dr Tom Paterson Summerseat Lane Ramsbottom