I AM very grateful to Mr Hoon for coming to explain the Government's position regarding handing Fylingdales over the U.S. missile defence programme (January 7).

Mr Hoon informs us that the time to discuss this matter with the British public is after the decision has been reached. Where I come from discussion usually happens before you reach a decision. Maybe we in Yorkshire don't understand such things.

He tells us not to worry about North Yorkshire being targeted because no one attacked us during the Cold War, when there was a real threat. North Korea and Iraq "have only a handful of missiles available".

He tells us they don't have "sophisticated and highly accurate missiles available to them". If there is actually no threat, as he concedes, why is the Government pretending there is?

He can't have it both ways. This is the same Government that is now talking up the threat to the world from Iraq. If it is such a threat, how is it that Britain and the US have been able to fly over the country dropping bombs week in week out for the last ten years?

If the US government wants a safer world they could start by paying their huge debts to the UN, so that organisation can better do its job, instead of working so hard to undermine it.

If the UK Government wants a safer world it could begin by listening to the people of this country, its archbishops and other religious leaders.

Solving problems involves engaging with the world, and working towards greater equality, not hiding behind a wall of anti-missile missiles and other fantasies.

Xian Vassie,

Blake Court,

Wheldrake,

York.

Updated: 11:12 Thursday, January 09, 2003