CHRIS DAVIES, Member of the European Parliament, really does write some tosh in support of the EU which pays his bloated salary.

On July 15 he tells us that 'today we face common problems often requiring sharing solutions,' well , of course we do. In fact that's always been the case throughout history, but do we really need a bunch of unelected foreigners, who are outside Britain, to instruct us what to do? He tells us also, that we pay our contribution of billions of pounds, 'because our Government is committed to a range of EU projects.' Rubbish!

The governments of member states have no choice. If a country becomes a member - it puts into the kitty. In addition, EU projects are decided by the EU not Britain. We just help to finance them - even the butter mountain and the wine lakes and, of course, the destruction of our farming and fishing.

He goes on to teach us that 'we want the benefits of the single-trading market - because this gives us significant advantages.' Not so! Each individual country of the EU will trade with any other country in the world, even China and India. That is, member or non-member. If it suits the buyer and the seller, they do a deal. Oh, how did all countries manage for hundreds of years prior to the setting up of the European Union?

If Mr Davies MEP checks the contents of his home he'll see that his electrical goods probably come from the Far East together with timber products and a great many more items. The MEP further enlightens us that Switzerland and the EU is like Mexico and the USA. Wherever he get this from, I just don't know! He's got things back to front.

The economy of Mexico collapsed in 1994 and its currency was devalued. It was saved only by the input of a massive injection of American dollars. Mr Davies tell us that Mexico is without influence. Hardly surprising! Switzerland doesn't depend on the EU as a unit. Those countries as individuals trade with Switzerland. The Swiss moreover, who have the good sense to stay outside the EU will be surprised to learn that to 'stay in business, they've had to take on board thousands of EU laws.' No, Mr Davies, only EU members have to take on those laws - even the silly ones. The Swiss don't have to accept even one. Switzerland has a banking service of international renown. That is why its economy is so successful and that's why other countries use it. In fact, that's been the situation before the EU was even thought of. They manage so well, that their economy goes from strength to strength, while the EU countries sink more and more into debt.

Chris Davies' greatest flight of fancy, must be his claim that squandering our money on the European Union, 'is cheaper than paying for thousands of tanks lined up along the iron-curtain to protect us from attack.' Perhaps someone should tell him that there is no longer an iron-curtain. The great Soviet Union has collapsed (note well Europhiles!) When that threat did exist, it was held in check not by the EU, but NATO. It is primarily American fire-power and nuclear bombs which sustained peace in Europe for all these years! It really is errant nonsense to claim that the Soviets were influenced by MEPs paymasters.

In his fundamental failure to properly grasp 'cause and effect,' I am reminded of the tale of the cockerel which early each morning would mount the dung-heap and crow until the sun rose. "Look," said the bird, "but for my efforts, we wouldn't have the sun each day and our world would be one of semi-darkness." And do you know, he actually believed it.

In my last letter, I said the sooner the better, that the European Union collapses. However, if what Chris Davies tell us is typical of what his colleagues believe, then as a matter of compassion, perhaps we should first send in the men in white coats.

Peter Roscoe St Annes