30 NOVEMBER 2002, Page 45

From Mr Andrew Wauchope Sir: Gordon Bourne's article reminded me

that Labour governments have always allowed penny-pinching to affect operational efficiency. During the Attlee Labour government, my uncle did his national service in Benghazi with the Royal Engineers. He recalled recently that, although he and other officers were issued with revolvers for their personal protection, none of them was issued with ammunition, to save money.

Andrew Watiehope

London SEI I