The National Association of Estate Agents is calling for further reform of the stamp duty to provide more mobility in house transactions.

It should first enforce a drastic reduction in the charges made by estate agents.

At present, the standard charge for selling is 2.5 per cent for open representation. On a £200,000 house, which is medium for the area, the charge is £5,000 - a ludicrous amount.

Prior to the increase in house prices from the Seventies, the standard charges were 0.5 to 0.75 per cent for sole and open commissions.

Agents gained not only from these increased prices but also multiplied their charges fourfold.

This is immoral and they should revert to the former figures or even less.

-A West, Woodland Way, Brighton