SIR - I see that the Labour Government is asking for ideas to eliminate the coming pensions shortfall.

First, perhaps Gordon Brown can try to find ways to return the swingeing taxes he took from pension funds, to waste on increasing bureaucracy.

Another idea would be to continue the recently- announced policy of reducing NHS hospital admissions, so that many pensioners will die. Thereby reducing the number of pensions to be paid out.

Finally, perhaps Mr Blair, Mr Brown, Mr Prescott, and the other members of the Labour Party, as a gesture of solidarity with the general population, will agree to forego their inflated pensions paid for by the taxpayer, this money being added to our state pensions instead. Too much to hope for?

BOB BROOKES,

Droitwich.