I WOULD like to respond to the criticism of me by George Cowley and A J C Evans.

Do these two gentleman think that everyone should receive the same wage packet irrespective of education or position in employment?

Regarding some of the points in A J C Evans letter (You Say, October 18) the reason the top rate of tax has been cut is because of the brain drain.

If you'd studied hard and got a good position, would you stay in this country if £83 out of every hundred you earned went in tax?

I know I wouldn't. Taking £22 out of my pension is a big crime to me. If the upper bands of Council Tax were charged in proportion to the lower bands, people living in the higher bands would move down the lower bands putting up their cost, therefore making it difficult for families and young couples to afford to buy a home.

There has to be rich and poor, there is in every part of the world. The difference is less here than other places.

JOHN NORWOOD,

Kidderminster.