I WONDER what it is that makes government ministers attracted to Europe. It has been going on now for about 40 years since the days of Harold Wilson and Ted Heath.

Then John Major signed the Maastricht treaty. Tony Blair has been doing everything to bring us down to European Standards.

I think that thousands of animals were slaughtered needlessly in the foot-and-mouth epidemic. This makes our meat more expensive - this has certainly happened with lamb.

The latest thing is increased licensing hours. We have managed nicely on our own licensing hours for many years.

JOHN NORWOOD,

Kidderminster