IT would be appreciated if you would allow me to reply to Elspeth Wullen (EA, May 15).

I would like to come to the defence of Messrs Avenell and Selway who (in my opinion) represent the vast silent majority.

Basic accommodation plus £37.77. Hotels which I can't afford to holiday in, new purpose built accommodation specially built for illegal persons who promptly burnt it down (how many millions did this cost?) never mind the dear old British tax payer will foot the bill.

Elspeth, you say that only two per cent of illegal asylum seekers come to this country.

This so far equals £1.8 billion so far which could have built 25 hospitals or 175 new schools.

I also wish to point out we are 2 x more over crowded than Germany 4 x more than France and 12 x more than USA.

These illegal persons are not wanted here, they are already are alienating many areas here.

Remember the saying "charity begins at home" if we were to follow this saying, possibly we could then have the funds to support our hospitals, education etc.

The above facts are not myths.

BRIAN F BEST

Swindon