John Lacy is right to highlight the upcoming deadline for licensing applications. It is true that the licensing department is very helpful.

But Mr Lacy's analogy with passport applications is specious.

Licensees do not need their "passport" in seven days time. It is effective from November 24 and the next 14 weeks is the period allowed for applications to be processed and finalised. In most circumstances, 14 weeks would be adequate to obtain passport renewal.

Chris Houseman,

Water End,

Holgate, York.

Updated: 09:24 Wednesday, August 03, 2005