THE passport fiasco brings to mind just how efficient the Newport passport office was 12 years ago when I wanted a passport urgently and had only three weeks to get it.

I fully expected it to take the full three weeks to obtain, but no! They had it done in three days.

I was filled with admiration for their determination, pleasantness and efficiency. If only we could go back to the future where cost cutting didn’t automatically amount to job cuts.

I’m well aware that many of us oldies have a rosy view of the past, but we have seen better days and that’s a fact.

Walt Jackson, Usk