At risk of being referred to as an 'old whinger', I crave your indulgence in again raising the subject of the state pension for us 'old uns'.

I do so because I have just learned that, for the second time in less than a year, our members of Parliament are to receive a salary increase. This will result in them having a salary of £55,118 a year. Furthermore, their contributory pensions are to be improved and, when necessary, tax-payers will top up any shortfall in the value of their pension fund.

Do my eyes deceive me? Tax-payers to top up their pensions when necessary (not for them the means test). Not that we pensioners should have to resort to such a system when Britain is claimed to be the fourth wealthiest nation in the world.

How many millions have been spent in these past ten years in the continuous bombing of Iraq? And Saddam Hussein still reigns. Now more millions are being spent in Afghanistan chasing Osama Bin Laden. Then there are billions spent annually on nuclear submarines for what?

But, perhaps now that the presidents of Russia and the United States have signed an agreement which, it is claimed, signals the end of the Cold Ward, our submarines will be mothballed. Don't hold your breath!

AJ Carnall,

Beech Drive,

Borehamwood.