I attended a talk on medicine and politics by Phillip Day of the Credence Organisa-tion at the Bank House.

I was staggered to hear that the new european police force, which will supersede our own police if a European Consti-tution is ratified, are exempt from criminal prosecution regardless of any indiscretions outside the law.

Closer to home, I didn't realise that V.A.T. is fundamentally a european tax and that closer integration with Europe will probably see it levied on food, houses and funerals. Levels are also likely to rise. Ireland already pays 21 per cent!

I was also horrified that the 2002 figures quoted showed the UK paying a £9 billion subsidy into Europe while only £5 billion was returned, (with strings attached).

With £6 billion in European fraud unaccountable for by the European Commission, I would suggest that charity should begin at home.

R J Parsons, Geraldine Road, Malvern.