I have always considered Hugh Bayley to be an excellent MP for York but his support for Fylingdales' involvement in Son Of Star Wars may lose him much local support.

I am aware that his proviso is that it should include protection for Britain as well as the US, but from what I have heard and read this does not seem to be part of the bargain - making it a bargain for Bush but not for us.

Perhaps Mr Bayley has not read some of the excellent articles and letters on this subject and on the question of Iraq, including the letter from Xian Vassie of Wheldrake (January 9).

It is really time that the opinions of the people of this country were heard clearly by our politicians.

Many people will march for peace in London but they will be a tiny proportion of the millions (I dare to say) who agree with their views regarding war with Iraq. How can the voice of the people be heard?

Jean Frost,

Elmpark Way, York.

...I AM concerned at the proliferation of nuclear weapons. So it is with alarm that I read that North Korea has pulled out of the nuclear treaty.

But I cannot understand why this Government, including our local MP, considers it acceptable for the US to break the Strategic Arms Agreement to develop the Son Of Star Wars Project.

The American administration - which does not necessarily include all American people - is the most selfish administration in the world, with no restraint on their polluting gases.

If they successfully achieve a Star Wars defence programme, it is for the sole purpose of ensuring that they are the only ones with effective offensive weapons so they can dominate and bully all the world, including us.

It would be disastrous if Saddam Hussein was found to have weapons of mass destruction, but I ask this: has he got more than the USA?

To my knowledge the only country which has used nuclear weapons in war is America.

Harry H Punter,

Corncroft, Strensall, York.

Updated: 11:30 Monday, January 13, 2003