IT would be helpful to clarify in relation to L Spiteri's comments (Letters, Monday, February 21) that the EU subsidies we receive are actually our own money being given back to us.

As is well known, we are the main paymaster for the EU, so it has clearly got to be to our benefit to keep all of the £11bn instead just getting about 65 per cent of it back.

In regard to his other points we buy far more from the EU than we sell to them, so they are certainly not going to put up trade barriers to stop our exports.

Finally, L Spiteri apparently feels that we are not responsible enough to govern ourselves.

How interesting, given that we are the oldest democracy within the EU.

MARK STARR,

Leigh Sinton.