SIR, As a follow up to the report of councillors' allowances and expenses published recently, it would be interesting to learn of their attendance records and have more information on their policies and work within the council. MPs have to disclose their outside interests when they are elected - councillors should do likewise. In a recent radio programme on crime and the overcrowded prisons, our MP disclosed he was also a policeman. Obviously, an MP's work load is not as arduous as they would have us believe. His answer to crime: more and bigger prisons, built by PFI and private, undoubtedly. I wrote calling for his support when opposing the privatisation of our council homes and urged him to speak for a council house building programme. He refused. He and his colleagues agreed with the the Thatcher government's sale and existing of council house building, which has led to long council waiting lists. I believe that poor housing and lack of facilities affordable to young people is a major cause of petty crime, which escalates into more serious criminality later on. An immediate start to affordable council built and housing is the answer. N Lewis (Wyesham)
