WITH regard to Richard Pierce's letter (May 15) I do wish people would get hold of the real facts before they write such nonsense.

To quote the interim report of the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufacture and Commerce, chaired by Sir Donald Maitland: "The proposed model for devolution would be unlikely to deliver its objectives of greater regional prosperity and democracy."

More damningly they are also: "Critical of the lack of publicity surrounding the Government's White Paper on the subject Your Region, Your Choice: revitalising the English Regions."

Further to that I have in my possession, letters from John Powell at the office of the deputy prime minister, which among other things state, when I raised the West Lothian question and asked why the English cannot have their own Parliament to give them parity with the Scots and Welsh. "Debates are by their nature seldom confined to issues that affect just one country and in particular decisions on spending programmes for England have a direct impact on resources for the devolved administrations.

"All MPs therefore have a legitimate interest in such matters.

"The Government does not support the suggestion that there should be different classes of MP in Parliament this would fracture the unity of the UK."

So it's ok for the Scots to have their own Parliament, in which English people cannot have a say, but it's perfectly ok for Scots to have a say in English matters as far as the Government is concerned.

And, yes Mr Pierce, I have read the Government's White Paper, I only wish more people would.

S J EELS

Castle Combe