Many congratulations to Lewes MP Norman Baker who, on Wednesday, April 3, appeared on Radio 4's Today programme to protest the recalling of Parliament in order for members to express their thoughts on the sad passing of the Queen Mother.

As Mr Baker correctly stated, the re-call is no minor matter, involving many staff returning to work from their holiday at no little expense to the taxpayer, merely to allow ministers to reiterate what most had already stated

publicly.

While meaningful to many in our community, the general level of interest in the death of the Queen Mother is perhaps reflected by the very low numbers who have made the effort to sign books of

condolence in our region.

Personally, I find the local death through heartache of a dead youngster's grandmother far more emotionally disturbing and of greater concern.

Furthermore, as Mr Baker also pointed out, if Parliament was being recalled, why could not MPs be allowed to discuss the surely more pressing matter of the Israeli-led war in the Middle East which could have major repercussions around the world?

-David Cameron-MacKintosh, davidcammac@hotmail.com