YOUR editorial of October 13 is timely and brings attention to a topic on which plain speaking is long overdue.

The prevalent 'compensation culture' is a plague on many businesses and industries and among the hardest hit are the town councils and, as you point out, the hospital trusts.

I have a vested interest as the non-executive chairman of one of Burnley's ever decreasing manufacturers. I have seen at first hand some outrageous and blatantly fictitious claims where the insurance industry has finally had a glimpse of the obvious and cut out the habit of relatively nominal payments.

These payments were often previously made in the mistaken belief that this was less expensive than putting up a defence.

In recent visits to hospitals I have been shocked by the downright scruffiness of some visitors and cannot but wonder if that might have some relevance to the hygiene about which the dirtiest people seem to have the loudest opinions.

Is it possible to place responsibility for this culture of claims? Do far too many people demand 'their rights' and every service under the sun so long as they do not have to pay for them?

I believe that the answer is in the affirmative and a very large part of the responsibility lies with the lawyers whose advertising and thoroughly disreputable 'no win no fee' offers will, by definition, encourage an attitude of having a go by giving the impression that there is nothing to lose.

In reality there is a great deal to lose -- unless you are a lawyer of course.

Councils have no choice but to increase their budgets and your council taxes. Hospitals, through the various trusts, are restricted in the services that they would wish to offer.

Private businesses with exemplary records suffer through increased insurance premiums and there is an adverse effect on employment opportunities.

Worst of all, the mentality of 'something for nothing' takes an insidious hold and we are all poorer for it.

DEREK GILL, Ightenhill Park Lane, Burnley.