IN his letter (Jan 26) T. R. Miles falls back on the old excuse of blaming the trade unions for everything.

If we had no trade unions, working conditions in industry would still be in the Dark Ages, with children and women in the pits working a 12-hour day, poor pay and little democracy.

The 1970s experienced record inflation at 25 per cent due to three-fold increases in oil prices. Ordinary people suffered and trade unions were over-zealous in their claims. Would Mr Miles have cut coal at that time for £25 a day?

Why does he think that it is so easy to close car plants in this country, something that would not be attempted in other parts of the EU. It is because Mrs Thatcher so reduced protection for our workers that they are easy prey for US multi-nationals.

J. HOLDEN,

St. Paul's Street,

Ramsbottom.