I WAS surprised to see Fiona Evans describe Labour's attempt to get more people involved in the Barbican consultation as "an insult" (Letters, July 26). Did she not find the initial extremely short consultation period more of "an insult" to York's swimmers?

Thankfully our attempt to push for greater consultation has had some effect, and residents now have until August 8 to register their views.

The Lib Dems have made clear that they favour the community pool. We have been open about our support for the larger county pool.

Yet throughout Fiona Evans' attack on the Labour group she failed to comment on which pools option she thinks would be best for York, the very decision we are trying to discuss.

Coun Alan Jones,

Labour's spokesperson for leisure and heritage,

Kingsway North,

York.

Updated: 10:48 Thursday, July 31, 2003