IN response to the letter from M Burcher (You Say, September 24), the Marshall Plan, or to employ its official title, "The European Recovery Program", had four stated objectives, namely:

a) Increasing production.

b) Expanding European foreign trade.

c) Facilitating European economic co-operation.

d) Controlling inflation.

A total of $13.325bn was allocated by Congress to 16 European countries (of which $11.820bn constituted grants and $1.505 consisted of repaid loans) between April 3, 1948 and June 30, 1952, and the UK received $3.189bn ($384m repaid).

The text of the "Marshall Plan" speech, delivered on June 5, 1947, makes no mention of a United States of Europe or a European army.

The idea that Winston Churchill "agreed" to this is strange indeed, given his comments that "I have devoted a large part of my life to the theme of unity of the English-speaking peoples" and "I reject the view that Britain and the Commonwealth should now be relegated to a tame and minor role in the world".

France and Germany would do well to remember their grants of $2.713bn and $1.390bn respectively when they are next asked for assistance by their benefactors in the United States of America.

GARY WEBB,

Worcester.