JULIAN Thake's attitude to "visible" trade seems to be one of indifference, bordering on contempt. Perhaps he really would be happy to see manufacturing more or less abandoned, in this country.

Is Mr Thake nave or is he deliberately attempting to distort the picture? He suggests that 15 per cent of UK gross domestic product goes to Europe.

Actually it is somewhat more, but 15 per cent is a big slice anyway, when 65 to 70 per cent of GDP is used internally.

Large American and Japanese companies, the ones that count, are almost desperate for the UK to become part of the single currency.

Like many other foreign firms in UK, Toyota is suffering from the exchange rate.

Sales director Yoshio Ishizike has called on his UK suppliers to do business in euros in order to minimise currency note exposure.

Incidentally, Britain contests 5th place in the World GDP league table with Russia and Italy.

J Alan Hurst makes no constructive contribution whatever. Political and military factors relating to the first half of the 20 Century, the early years of the 19th Century and the later years of the 16th Century are irrelevant to the economics and demographies of the 21st century.

As regards to Tony Blair, I believe him to be true to the cause of Europe.

I do wish that he would get off the fence, however.

D E MARGRETT,

Rowan Court,

Worcester.