MANY people seem shocked by the findings, or lack of, in the Hutton Report. Lord Hutton seems to have been handcuffed from the start.

Anyone with management experience knows one can guide a meeting by asking questions to which one knows the answers.

It is a simple step to decide which answers one requires and couch the questions accordingly so the supposed victim leaps free with his Teflon coat undamaged. Everyday stuff to Sir Humphrey of Yes, Minister and his chums. This seems to be how things are conducted at present.

JA Whitmore,

Springfield Road,

Upper Poppleton, York.

COUN Paul Blanchard invites us to get involved with New Labour's Big Conversation (Letters, February 2).

A glance at the Big Conversation website indicates debate is invited only on a selected few topics. This means we are not allowed a say on Iraq, top-up fees, foundation hospitals nor anything else deemed "off limits" by the Labour Party.

The Big Conversation is nothing but a cynical exercise in spin.

I find it hard to believe the Prime Minister is truly interested in a "conversation" with the public when the debacle of the tuition fees vote shows he finds it a chore listening to his own MPs.

Why wasn't Mr Blair listening to the million-plus who marched against going to war with Iraq? What about the 30,000 who protested against top-up fees in October?

To be charged at a premium rate for participating via text message is the icing on the cake.

Coun Ceredig Jamieson-Ball,

The Crescent,

York.

Updated: 11:17 Tuesday, February 10, 2004