RECENTLY, the Pentagon announced a programme to build 3,000 Anglo-American fighter bombers costing the little sum of £650 billion.

The British Government has spent £12 billion on the Trident missile system so far, but according to Sir Ronald Mason, former chief economic adviser to the Ministry of Defence, the four Trident submarines will cost an additional £40-£50 billion over the next 25 years for maintenance, crews and disposal of the missiles' nuclear content.

What could be done with such sums? We could provide all the nurses, doctors and teachers our country needs; enough research scientists to restore Britain's manufacturing reputation; and sufficient homes to house those sleeping on the frozen streets.

With the £650 billions for new warplanes, The West could produce wells to save the lives of millions of children dying yearly from drinking fouled water; medicine to cure fatal illnesses with ease; and to make the deserts bloom with food crops. That would produce the real 'feelgood factor' that our government talks so much about.

This vast output of money is supposed to be for our 'defence.' Who is going to invade us? Surely not the poorer countries, whose threat is dreamt up by western armament manufacturers to increase their sales and profits.

Mr Gorbachev had the courage to end the Cold War, which very nearly became the Hot War, by slashing his warplanes, tanks and infantry without waiting for others to act first.

We should follow that example. One day we will elect a government committed to end this suicidal nonsense.

FRANK ALLAUN, Eastleigh Road, Manchester.

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