Sir - The misapprehensions that people such as N.M. Dunkley (Letters, 21.4.'15) exhibit, along with all too many others, about our trading with the EU if we were not a member need, yet again, to be addressed.

The EU's "rules" are in place to ensure, fundamentally, that nations do not compete with each other in a race to the bottom in terms of workers' rights and conditions and artificial restraints of trade. Not so bad, surely?

For this reason, Norway, for example, (a non-EU member mentioned by Mr. Dunkley), is obliged to implement all of the EU's laws relating to the internal market. Norway has absolutely no say in the formulation of these EU laws, but has to adopt them in order to be allowed to trade with the EU. It also has to make a net financial contribution to the EU budget - despite (repeat) not being a member. Not so good, surely?

And why does nobody ever come clean about this? Firstly, politicians who hope to gain power by pulling wool over eyes have an obvious interest in such economy with the truth. Secondly, certain press barons, usually non-domiciled in the UK and paying no UK income tax, fear that a body such as the EU might begin to notice their unaccountable and undemocratic power, and regulate their ownership. Good or bad, according to taste.

David Barlow

Worcester