REGARDING Howard Burkhardt's letter (LET, March 19), in which he states that "I fail to understand why this new payment has been introduced," (he was referring to the chip and pin method of payment of pensions to pensioners).

The reason is, it is all about saving money with no thought whatsoever for a pensioner who is confused by this method and also does not want a bank account.

The government has to pay the Post Office an administration fee for every book a pensioner has (under the old system) so this is why books are being done away with.

I am sure the government is hell bent on closing down all post offices. But as the saying goes, use it or lose it.

H HAMER, Lowther Place, Blackburn.