SIR — I was surprised by the total lack of response in last week's Free Press to the West Somerset District Council's decision, taken at the cabinet meeting of July 8, to sell off the 'family silver'.

At that cabinet meeting, it was agreed that the Draft Capital Programme 2002-2004 costing £14,428,000 should be funded partially by 'land sales' valued at £4,800,000, ie 33 per cent of the total capital! This major decision was virtually taken on the nod.

My detailed and specific questions of which land, when valued and by whom, went unanswered.

Is this not the final fling of the WSDC Last Chance Saloon? Will there be any land left for the new offices? If a new hospital were to be built, where would it be built? How will the 2004-2007 Capital Programme be funded?

Is it not a coincidence that 2003 is local election year? Surely the electorate of West Somerset deserve better!

Peter Humber,

Liberal Democrat District Councillor,

Withycombe.