THE points raised by Mr L Lawes (Letters, April 3) about local 'cabinet' government are certainly food for thought.

And, once again, the whole question of secrecy is raised.

I am sure that, given the opportunity, Blackburn with Darwen Council will bleat on about the decision to hold meetings away from public scrutiny was not theirs and was forced upon them by the Government.

Unfortunately for them, Hyndburn Council seem to be doing a good job of preserving accountability to the people who put them there in the first place.

By the way, I feel that proper mention should be given to Coun Peter Greenwood -- the only one among them with nothing to hide, it would seem.

He has been reviled for some time now by other members of his own party in the council and perhaps now we can begin to understand why.

One final point that I would like to make is that it would be interesting to know how many, if any, of the current crop of Labour councillors in Blackburn with Darwen Council made any noises of protest when the Government decided to introduce this latest obstacle in the way of freedom of information -- a government run by the very same party that runs the present council.

J SHACKLETON (Mr), Reservoir Street, Darwen.