M TAYLOR'S letter (You Say, May 30) is yet another example of the nonsense peddled by those incapable of putting the issue of asylum and immigration in a proper perspective.

In 1999/2000, immigrants contributed £31.2bn in taxes and consumed £28.8bn in benefits - representing a net contribution of £2.5bn to our economy.

Hardly money "being poured down the drain".

Europe is not about to "take over" asylum. There is a proposal to have common asylum and immigration rules across the EU that requires agreement by EU members through the Treaty ratification process.

This may well be in Britain's interests, given that many asylum seekers find their way to Britain having travelled through countries whose laws are more lax.

The perception that somehow Britain is bearing the brunt of the asylum and immigration issue is misplaced.

We host only 1.98 per cent of the world's refugees and, in 2002, the United Kingdom was eighth in Europe in terms of the number of asylum applications per 1,000 population - 1.9 compared to Austria's 4.6.

It saddens me that we seem to be turning our back on a once proud tradition of welcoming those fleeing oppression. The positive action which Ted Heath's government took in welcoming the Ugandan Asians, who have done much to enrich our nation, is a case in point.

It is ironic that Mr Taylor and others have the freedom to peddle their views in the relative comfort of a liberal democracy, yet despise the fact that others, like the 14,940 Zimbabweans who fled the tyranny of Mugabe in 2002, want to come here and enjoy the liberties he takes for granted.

A proper balance need to be restored to this issue so that we can get on with enjoying the fruits of a diverse society, without the intolerance and bigotry which is in danger of becoming insidious.

N M BUCKTIN,

Worcester.