GOVERNMENT Press officer Andrew Flaxman (You Say, May 30) says pensioners now have more in choice in how they get their pensions and benefits.

So how come the two million pensioners who were still using their pension books and post offices were not asked if they wished to retain their pension payment books?

And why wasn't this government-enforced change gradually phased in, thereby having a less drastic impact on our elderly and the less fortunate?

Of course, banks are closing large numbers of sub-branches, and up to 3,000 more sub-post offices will eventually close.

The safety of our pensions collecting their money from the post office, whether by post office account or pension book would be much better if law and order were addressed and our streets made safer.

And finally, if Andrew Flaxman and the Government are serious about combating fraud, perhaps they could trace the millions of bogus NIS numbers being used fraudulently, which is costing this country billions of pounds.

BRIAN HUNT,

Worcester.