ANY Government which is capable of treating Parliament and the British public so contemptuously, over the status and function of the Menwith Hill RAF base and RAF Fylingdales (Anger Over RAF Base Decision, The Press, January 11), cannot be trusted in that regard or with regard to the recruitment of young people into the Armed Forces (Army recruits are not being misled, Letters, January 11).

In fact, the Government insulted members of Parliament by announcing the changes, relating to the RAF bases, only a day before Parliament's summer recess.

Effectively, of course, the bases are classed as American and so are beyond our control. Two thousand, or so, Americans work at Menwith Hill, along with others, presumably, at Fylingdales.

Surely, we do not want to encourage the United States of America's military dominance in the world and the likely extension of that into space, thereby becoming ever more a vulnerable pawn in the power game.

With that in mind, it seems particularly apt that the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust has highlighted the misleading recruitment drives of the Armed Forces.

Using force, military or other, has never brought increased trust, security or peace. Peace only comes about through people courageously taking the risks involved in opposing the use of force, which inevitably necessitates risking one's own skin. No one person's skin is more important or precious than anyone else's.

We all have to learn to be understanding, compassionate and forgiving. All our resources human, spiritual and financial should be invested in creating a better world for all, regardless of race, colour or creed. Why not build trust and hope in our fragile, but beautiful, God-given world?

Janet Rowntree, Escrick, York.