14 APRIL 1990, Page 28

Square eyes and breathing Sir: I should like to take

issue with Paul Johnson (The media, 3 March) on his comparison between the television licence fee and the poll tax. The television licence fee is more like the now obsolete rates, a burden if a householder but possible to avoid, sell the house and take to the streets.

Avoiding the television licence is less painful; just get rid of the television set. My wife and I have lived without one for the last three years and never miss it. The poll tax is more or less a tax on breathing and thus a different matter altogether.

Graham Butcher

46 Meaux Road, Wawne