Does the construction industry need MPs?

Sir;



I refer to your editorial entitled "Did the industry need Lowe Bell?" In the 26 August issue where you stated your opinion that "The National Farmers Union does not need political lobbyists. Why should construction?"

I should have thought that the answer is obvious - there are dozens of MPs and Lords with extensive farming interests and as a consequence their political concerns and aspirations are nicely catered for.

The European Union has also historically been run largely for the benefit of farming interests. By way of contrast only a handful of our political representatives have personal interests in the construction sector and the voice of construction in the political arena is correspondingly weak.

There are many examples of the inequitable treatment of construction. Consider the contrast in the level of compensation for cattle slaughtered to eradicate BSE compared with the complete lack of sympathy at the time when timber framed housing was panned and the market collapsed. These and many other examples are evidence of the weakness of our representation.

Whilst not condoning any of the particular events referred to in your editorial, I am of the opinion that our industry has much room for improvement in the way it influences politicians.



J C Smith Bsc ARICS

Bromley,

Kent