THANKS Peter Jarrett for giving me some verifiable facts (Advertiser/Messenger December 6). Could he provide details of similar manufacturing jobs lost during the 18 years of the previous administration?

There was a time when M&S said 98 per cent of its merchandise came from British factories. This week has seen another garment supplier exclusive to M&S added to ten or so firms closed when its products were obtained from overseas. Over the years whole factories have been closed and equipment despatched abroad to be operated by cheaper workers.

I trust Peter will accept that people are entitled to reasonable and regulated conditions of employment. But this is not always the case where costs and conditions are reduced to the minimum.

I'm sure we agree that we don't approve when people are reduced to a basic income by unemployment but this is not entirely down to government policy. At least this government has, with some success, taken measures to encourage employment.

John Coates,

Hazelton Road,

Marlbrook.