Sir, - Freedom of the press is one of our most precious ad well-guarded privileges and as such, should be used with truth and honesty.

On Tuesday, June 12, this privilege was abused by most of the national press, whose eye-catching headlines were at best half-truths and in some cases outright lies..

In fact, the Labour cabinet awarded themselves nothing. The truth is that four years ago a Select Committee, appointed to review senior minister's remuneration packages, recommended that an increase of about 47pc was required, to maintain parity with senior management in industry.

Tony Blair, newly-elected, decided that he and his colleagues would forego any increase and by so doing, he set an example of "fat-cats" in all walks of life to follow.

It is no discredit whatsoever to William Hague, that he, as Leader of the Opposition, accepted his increase four years ago. He was entitled to it, as were the Labour ministers at that time and if they had done so, it would now be an accepted situation.

Tony Blair deserves to be praised and not reviled for his restraint over the last four years and for bringing his own and his colleagues' salaries up to date.

ALAN BENN

Burneston Village Stores,

Bedale.

Late in the day

Sir, - It is rather late for Peter Foster and Richard Hodgson to complain about the affect the new stadium will have on the villages of Hurworth and Neasham (report, D&S, June 8), they had every opportunity during the planning stage.

They thought they would not be able to see it, so why rock the boat. Coun Foster also believes the club "pulled the wool over everyone's eyes".

Not so, Mr Foster. The residents of Neasham Road knew exactly what was going on. We told Darlington Borough Council the computer-generated images were not to scale because we read the plans, but the council disagreed.

Coun Hodgson said: "I don't think people realised how big it was going to be". Can the two councillors not read plans, or did they just not bother, thinking it would not affect them.

As for the surface water from the stadium, it will go into the lake and be released into Cree Beck at intervals as Brian Jones correctly stated. This was an important point for the villages and something they should have known about.

As the residents seem to have more information than the parish councillors, how they could say they originally had no objections to the application beats me!

Mrs JEAN BOWES

Geneva Crescent,

Darlington.

Misconceptions

Sir, - I read with interest Mr P D Johnson's letter last week, entitled "The deceit about moorland grants" (D&S, June 8).

He is clearly dissatisfied with the manner in which Countryside Stewardship and other grants are administered. He should therefore address his complaints to the Rural Development Service within the Department of the Environment and Rural Affairs, which very carefully vets all such schemes, including the Northern Uplands Moorland Regeneration Project.

At least the agency might correct him on the inaccuracies and evident misconceptions in his letter.

Air Cdre SIMON BOSTOCK

Chairman, The Moorland Association

Pateley Bridge