ONCE again, we have seen the abomination they call an honours list published.

I find the entire ritual not only disgusting, but also an insult to the public in general, and the elevation of Doug Hoyle to the House of Lords (LET, April 23) only strengthens my desire to see this repugnant charade terminated.

By my standards, and no doubt many other people's, I have always believed that those who devote their time and energy to charitable works do so because of a genuine desire to help their fellow man, not as a stepping stone to a knighthood. As for those whose God-given talents enable them to amass vast fortunes, or have enjoyed the perks and privileges of their chosen profession, be it in the private or public arena, I would question whether further recognition or reward for their services is justified.

What makes any honours list even more abhorrent is the fact that many of those named were vehemently opposed to the House of Lords, but give them an opportunity to don ermine and they grab it with both hands: on the pretext of course that they will be more able to reform the upper chamber from inside rather than out.

What a load of balderdash! Surely the honourable thing to do is to say 'Thanks, but no thanks.'

But then I'm forgetting honour does not seem to rank very high on a politician's agenda these days, does it?

DAVID WALKER, Barrowford.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.