I refer to the letter of Rob Hartherall, (August 2). While the gentleman is entitled to express his opinions and have his right do so respected, his non-comprehending expressions of formulaic social repression and predictably institutionalised dismissive indifference cannot justify the elevated level of damage caused by the impact of these measures upon the situation of the most vulnerable in Wales, as well as upon that of the rest of Britain.

Nor, yet, can it alter the fundamentally mendacious nature of the expressions of purpose and intent of those having introduced and imposed them. The socially destructive consequences of these deliberately created and indefensible programmes of enforced deprivation will, without doubt, cause yet more damage to already subsistence economies and thereby bring about a corresponding detrimental effect upon an employment market still constricted as a result of earlier adverse decisions and actions of the English government and commercial establishment.

H Roland ap Watcyn, Griffithstown, Pontypool