I QUITE agree with Mr L Spiteri (You Say, February 24).

The demise of the steel industry, shipyards and our coal industry - in fact, any manufacturing during the Thatcher years - was nothing sort of national disgrace.

But what has changed?

I have been saying for some time that this present government is carrying on in the same Tory fashion, particularly when it comes to British manufacturing.

The foreign companies, soon to be our European kin, who rushed to buy out British companies during the Thatcher years should have waited for the Blair years.

With capitulation to Europe, the terms would have been much more favourable.

BRIAN HUNT,

Worcester