WHEN nationalised business such as the railways were sold off to private companies people were told, "competition equals more choice, better services and lower prices".

It would appear not ('Cheap rail fares rapped', February 5). Are these words only a ploy - no, a downright lie - to make such issues acceptable to voters?

Or am I being a tad cynical?

W Elliott,

Kinbrace Road,

Hartlepool.

Updated: 10:45 Friday, February 13, 2004