GORDON Brown has issued a menu for his pre-election budget banquet. But two of the courses, directed at us "greys" contained dietary restrictions.

First, the one-off £200 rate rebate would be very acceptable, in its entirety. Apparently, however, a sliding scale of eligibility is to be introduced. Couple this with the probable introduction of a rate-band increase.

Not the best time, surely, to introduce this eye-opener? Alternative constituents could be used in this meal. Hiding scale of eligibility could be "means testing" and upward band increase replaced by "stealth box." This calorific style reduction would personally affect my rebate. My maximum £200 would be reduced to a one-off payment of about £67. While aiding my slimming regime, the old saying that there's no such thing as a free lunch rings true.

The other dish is the free bus pass for all senior citizens. Is this to be an unusual ticket issued in Worcester, yet valid in Birkenhead, Bradford, Boston and Bournemouth? A more complicated document, the disabled drivers equivalent, is of one design. This is easily recognised by most authorities, and used legally and correctly, arouses very little dispute. It is also far cheaper to produce.

However, if it is left to local authorities, a partnership would produce a definite "enfant terrible". I am sure that such a pass was not what the Chancellor intended, or wasn't I reading between the lines closely enough?

D WHITEHOUSE,

Worcester.