13 APRIL 1996, Page 59

No. 1930: A modest proposal

Swift's famous pamphlet of this name, in which he recommends that the solution to Ireland's difficulties would be for the poor to devote themselves to rearing children to be killed and sold for eating, is a master- piece of irony. You are invited to make a modern proposal in the same spirit. Maxi- mum 150 words. Entries to 'Competition No. 1930' by 25 April.