"CONCERNED Mature Citizen" (Your Letters, May 31) is so "mature" that he/she hides behind a nom de plume and tries to use the natural support for our country's elders to attack those who have fled from persecution and poverty.

Speaking as a third generation asylum-seeker, my grandparents came to Britain to seek asylum from Tsarist Russia at the end of the 19th century, I must point out to this "Citizen" that, like every other country in the world, Great Britain is populated by human beings from every corner of the globe. They continue to contribute to the political, economic and cultural life of this country, to our collective benefit.

To assert that "asylum-seekers are well looked after . . ." to the detriment of ". . . people in our old folks homes" shows either a lack of knowledge of the benefits system, or an intent to stir up hatred of those in need of help.

All applicants for benefits are treated equally, whether they have put anything into "the system" or not.

P. KAISERMAN