Sir - 'The Big Euro Debate' (WN May 5th) illustrates how facts are often in short supply when our membership of the EU is considered. Take for example the statement by businessman Lawrence Brewer that the EU has made life better and that shared ground rules have made it easier to trade. There is actually not a shred of evidence for these contentions.

On the contrary, the recent study "Where’s The Insider Advantage? A comparative study of UK exports to EU and non-EU nations between 1960 and 2012" (even reported by the BBC) shows that-

the percentage of our exports-both goods and services to EU countries grew faster before we joined than during our membership

in contrast, our exports to European countries not in the EU have doubled

the Single European Market is a low export growth area for its members, but non-members such as Australia and Singapore which are far away and with higher transport costs actually have much higher growth of their exports into the EU. This is opposite to the effect we would expect if 'shared ground rules' (to quote Mr Brewer) really do make it easier for EU countries to trade.

Being part of a large trading bloc actually makes it more difficult to negotiate advantageous trade deals because we have to meet the interests of 27 other countries rather than pursue Britain's interest alone.

We could get a much better deal outside the EU, but Euro-fanatics such as Lawrence Brewer and David Barlow will never face these facts,

Francis Lankester

Diglis, Worcester