IN commenting on a public meeting a Lib Dem spokesman claims that Blackpool will not get a new conference centre unless this is part of a big casino complex.

A change in gambling laws will determine whether the latter will be built or not. The government has already set up an independent review body to recommend any changes in the law that would be necessary and it would be wise to await their report, due this coming summer.

Big political conferences bring not only business but also valuable publicity for the resort. Due to the refurbishing and alterations being made to accommodate big conferences, the Labour Party and TUC have both already booked to return to our resort in 2002.

The smaller, but still significant in size, Conservative conference is alternating between Blackpool and a southern location.

Because of this, many people now wonder whether a new "stand-alone" centre would be justified. This has to be considered.

A spanking new purpose-built centre would look impressive, but would it increase conference business above what the existing venues (there are several) can achieve now that improvements and alterations have been made?

Nothing is black and white. There are issues that have rightly to be considered AFTER a decision on the gambling laws is known.

Lib Dem Steve Bate in The Citizen (February 15) is guilty of telling untruths. Or at the very least displaying a degree of incompetence. Both can mislead readers. His letter states our town's MPs do not live in Blackpool.

This is NOT true. Gordon Marsden moved into Blackpool before his election as an MP. Joan Humble and her family live in Bispham, having moved here after her election in 1997. He could have discovered this fact easily.

The suggestion that our Labour Council is not committed to the illuminations beggars belief.

It is this very council that spent in the region of £7 million on replacing underground wiring and other electrical infra-structure along the entire promenade.

At the same time the excellent promenade lighting was installed. When they took over control of Blackpool in 1992 they were advised by the relevant department that due to years of neglect the whole wiring system was at the point of total breakdown.

Citizen readers will be aware of the difference between cheap unfounded rhetoric and responsible commitment. The huge investment by the council shows real evidence of the latter.

Jack Croysdill, Press Officer to Joan Humble MP for Blackpool North and Fleetwood.