THE letters from C Robinson, Janet Kitchen, Derek Chapplen and Ruth Bradley are excellent and say it all. (Letters, March 5). So, why don't we do as the French do, and stop completely all so called "benefits" for would-be immigrants?

I am told by people who live there that they receive absolutely nothing, nor will they ever, there is no point in being there, so they move on to Britain.

As for our shortage of skilled workers, the position would improve if fewer young people were pushed into going to university.

There should be no stigma attached to being non-academic.

Mrs M Isaacs,

Mallories,

Friars Hill,

Sinnington,

York.

...IN response to Kester Edmonds' (Letters, March 8) I am neither racist nor intolerant.

So far as I am concerned, a person is a person irrespective of colour, creed or country of origin.

It is not unreasonable to expect some sort of standard from people who wish to live in our country. There are far more stringent conditions imposed on people wishing to live in some other countries and if those conditions are not met, entry is refused.

It is, after all, only a form of reference on a par with checks made on people who wish to rent someone's property. If they don't come up to scratch, they don't get in.

Janet S Kitchen,

Ashley Park Road, York.

Updated: 10:10 Monday, March 15, 2004