SIR,

Despite the advancing years I can still remember the first General Election after the war in July 1945, while at that time I was still in school.

One of the promises being made was that "the country would be fit for heroes" to live in. I was first eligible to vote in the General Election of October 1951, and have witnessed about 16 General Elections since that time.

When you consider the total number of parliamentary hours spent over this exceptionally long period of about 65 years, you begin to wonder what has been achieved.

When I was in school pupils had the opportunity to sit the scholarship for the county school. Every one had the chance, subject to passing the exam, of receiving free higher education.

Many of those who failed the scholarship still went on to worthwhile jobs, invariably good apprenticeships, and even into professions.

During my childhood my father and many other parents paid three pence per week into the Welsh Hospital Board, which meant all dependant family members received free medical care.

With regard to all those false parliamentary financial claims, and also those made by Assembly Members, I believe that in addition to having to refund this money, each one should be surcharged by the amount of money falsely claimed, despite claiming "but I have done nothing wrong". Even today there are still MPs making false financial claims relating to their residences.

It is my belief that despite all the rhetoric and platitudes, successive Governments have wasted a lot of time and money, and failed to keep promises made during their election campaigns.

In common with many other people of my age (80 plus) our savings have been reduced to a fraction of what they used to be. I blame the politicians who failed miserably to keep the bankers and building societies under control.

W Barnard

(Usk)