LEAVING St Martin's Gate car park, walking through the city centre, we saw a dozen people begging, selling Big Issue and playing tin whistles. Some of these were young women whom it is assumed are homeless.

We read in the national Sunday Press that bin Laden's European ambassador, using thousands of pounds of Legal Aid on a High Court action, sues the Department of Social Security for re-instatement of £325 Income Support, £322 Housing Benefit plus £70 Incapacity Benefit for back pains.

The judge ruled: "The taxpayer had a duty to support this Islamic cleric." Is it not time this country thought of giving a little of this humanitarian aid to our own people?

REV D G GRIFFIN,

Newland, Malvern.