YOU introduced the anonymous student (Citizen: May 17) to the real implications of the draconian legal measures against the use of the traditional pound weight.

The displayed naivete is even greater over his/her unsubstantiated claims for our trade with the EU.

We do not need to be a member of an archaic tariff zone for that. The rest of the world trades with the EU without the appalling restrictions of membership.

Indeed, it has been demonstrated that even the Mexicans are better off in their relationship with the EU than British exporters. And this without the threat of provincial state referred to daily by the continental politicians. So why this degree of ignorance by a person who has reached the apex of our education system? We must feel both sympathy and anger. He/she has been under the pressure of targeted EU propaganda for years.

The commission has been quite open about this. They say is is directed at 'the young because it is strategically judicious to act where resistance is weakest'.

Moreover, as they recognise the media as the most powerful general influence they insist 'newscasters and reporters must themselves be persuaded about the EU.... so that they subsequently become more enthusiastic supporters of the cause' (de Clerq report 1993. Further, and most relevant to this case, there is 'the aim of 'Europeanising' university teaching.'

Indeed, we have now been informed by Baroness Blackstone that in specific areas 'approval of choice of professor must be given by the European Commission' (Hansard, House of Lords Jan 29 2000). There are now great masses of research on this most crucial subject before our country today.

It is important for students in particular to immerse themselves in this research to avoid superficiality and worse, the childish ignorance displayed in the petulant equating of Austrian and UKIP policies.

Mr Francis Warren

Newlands Road

Lancaster