I SHOULD like to keep an open mind about this country's membership of the common market, but I am constantly reading stories of fraud, corruption, nepotism and mismanagement.

Yet the perpetrators appear to go unpunished. We seem to be continually enveloped in a constant stream of legislative diarrhoea pouring forth from Brussels, much of it unnecessary and economically unworkable.

Since we became involved with Europe industries and jobs have gone in fishing, coal, shipbuilding and textiles.

Much of our railway equipment is imported and we hear of more jobs being transferred to Asia.

It seems ironic that, despite all the advantages we are fed about being in the EU, there is a constant stream of illegal immigrants coming through Europe to get into Britain at the risk of life and limb.

Is there really anything to gain by merging into Europe since it is no longer possible to believe anything we are told by our Prime Minister. His honesty has been compromised too often.

D Ballou,

Fleming Avenue,

Heworth, York.

...I TAKE issue with the blinkered views of our MEP David Bowe on the Euro.

Having travelled Europe for the past ten years, it is a fact that since the introduction of the Euro prices and costs have gone up about 30 per cent.

Has our MEP been protected from this because of the write-your-own expenses system MEP's enjoy?

A glass of wine is dearer than a full bottle at my local Co-op.

As a pensioner I ask what will be the effect upon our cost of living?

Mr Bowe quotes £700 a year for every family in the country. Does this mean our pension will rise by 15 per cent?

We may be old but we are realistic.

R S Pearson,

Towthorpe Road,

Haxby, York.

Updated: 12:31 Tuesday, October 28, 2003