YOUR report (April 11) depressed me. While first concluding that Councillor Orrell had only written to President Bush about any future use of Fylingdales as a publicity stunt, I was disappointed that he felt unable to wait to remonstrate with the president until we know exactly what national missile defence might mean for this country. As yet the details, and the part to be played by Fylingdales, are unconfirmed. Let us not forget that the Cold War eventually ended in 1989 when the western allies' policy of meeting Soviet sabre rattling with calm, resolute deterrence was proved successful.

Today there are 20 or 30 countries that possess, or are seeking to develop, ballistic missile systems. Such weapons are attractive and cheap to those who might 'wish to punch above their weight' on the international stage.

Deterrence provided us with an excellent insurance against attack up to the 1990s and will do so again if we allow it to. Let us hear how the US intends to safeguard itself and this country from surprise attack by a maverick nuclear equipped enemy before we condemn the insurance policy on offer.

Murray Naylor,

County councillor for Rillington,

Minster Hill,

Huttons Ambo, York.

Updated: 10:26 Friday, April 27, 2001