LIKE most readers of Worcester News I have been horrified by the disaster caused by hurricane Katrina in the southern USA. Let us learn from this disaster and the subsequent breakdown of society that ensued.

Many people, George Bush in particular, talk about 'small government'. They mean that many of the state functions can be carried out by private enterprise or devolved organisations in order to save taxes.

They put forward the argument that government is less efficient than private enterprise at carrying out many functions. The present situation in New Orleans is the result of 'small government'.

Tony Blair is already a convert to this dogma and has stolen the idea from the Tories. All round us we see the state retreating from its duties towards its citizens. I once heard Margaret Thatcher say 'there is no thing as society'. When you follow that line, when a major disaster strikes, you end up like the USA government, deserting its obligations and blaming all around it.

Do not listen to those voices that call for 'small government'. They speak with forked tongue. What they mean is lower taxes for the rich. We elect people to carry out the function of making our society work.

We did not elect them to decide who they should hand out state functions to and subsequently make a profit.

I spent many years as a taxpayer and glad to pay, as long as it was not wasted. As just one example, if a disaster of the magnitude of Katrina should happen in our area, how would our local PFI Hospitals cope?

TERRY JAMES,

Drakes Broughton.