Lord Bassam's latest contribution to the mayor-versus-committees debate (Letters, September 17) throws an interesting light on councillors' expenses.

I suppose we ought not to be surprised at how much they are on the make: £8,000 a year, free phone calls, free postage, free computer, free internet, free secretarial support, free car parking or travel in lieu plus "all other support... and research costs".

Note the word free, which his lordship so airily throws in. Why on earth do councillors need the internet - or computers, come to that - however many or few of them there are? Do they not have staff (at vast cost, all with their own little empires and most of them, doubtless, with their own computers, internet and so on).

In my day, we were fortunate to have a portable typewriter (let alone personal stationery, calling cards and the like). Councillors then were responsible for many more functions than now, with fewer staff and more dedication - and no allowances. This lot cannot evan make a good job of the Open Market canopy or maintain buses or grants to vital charities that save the community money.

There is no question in my mind that an improved committee system, with proper delegated and other powers, is far more preferable to a virtual local government dictatorship.

When Lord Bassam prates of democracy, however much he dresses it up, it reminds me inevitably of Gring, who said whenever he heard that word he reached for his gun. And look what happened to him. Watch out, Lord B.

-Arthur Harman, Hollingbury Crescent, Brighton