SIR - R Prendergast (Letters, December 21) says he tried to discuss matters with me but I disagreed with him.

What he fails to tell readers is that in several exchanges of e-mail I asked him for evidence to support his arguments so that I could properly engage in a dialogue with him. He refused to do this. I heard no more, until he wrote his letter to the paper.

So let me take this opportunity to say why I disagree with Mr Prendergast.

He believes, and I quote: "Obsessive health and safety legislation regulations are making our country uncompetitive."

Try telling that to the friends and family of the 212 workers killed at work last year. Try telling the 328,000 workers who reported a workplace injury last year that we should have weaker health and safety laws. In 2004, 1969 people died from the horrific disease, mesothelioma, and in total a further 10,000 deaths were caused by work-related illness.

The latest evidence from the Heath and Safety Executive suggests that two million people are suffering from an illness they believe was caused or made worse by their current or past work.

So Mr Prendergast, when people make silly, unsubstantiated claims it should be no surprise when others disagree.

On the issue of whether our health and safety laws are making this country uncompetitive, let me put forward another point of view. Last year, 30million working days were lost due to work-related ill health and workplace injury. If we reduced this level, our economic productivity would increase. Perhaps we should be doing more to protect workers, not less.

Politics is about the discussion of opposing ideas and examination of evidence. And yes, at times people disagree.

Having looked at the evidence, perhaps readers will accept my right to disagree with him.

Mike Foster MP, Worcester.