Does he think that inflation is set to exceed 20 per cent, a figure reached in both 1975 and 1980? Or maybe he expects interest rates to rise into double-figures, which happened under both Labour and Conservative governments prior to 1997?

I think the Chancellor should stop worrying people and book himself a series of lessons devoted to modern British history.

Quarry site's position

From Rob Moore, estates manager, Tarmac Ltd, Lingerfield, North Yorkshire.

MAY I set the record straight on the actual location of Tarmac's quarry extension site at Ladybridge (Yorkshire Post, August 29).

Dr Stockill's letter stated that the quarry will be "within yards" of the Thornborough Henges ancient monument.

The quarry extension site is over half a mile from the
Henges. Tarmac has made no application to quarry at the Thornborough Henges, now
or in future. They are a scheduled, protected ancient monument.

Spy state

From: CD Round, Lee Lane East, Horsforth, Leeds.

WHILE not wishing to comment on the rights and wrongs of the case of the child dropping a sausage roll (Yorkshire Post, August 28), what should concern us all is how many people are now employed by local councils and government departments to spy on us. Spy cameras are everywhere. The Nazis and the Stasi would have been proud. We are rapidly becoming a police state.