Sir, - Tony Blair's claim that cuts in the price of fuel could only come at the expense of cuts in the funding for hospitals and schools is a disgrace. For while the cost of fuel has gone up since Labour came to power in May 1997, there has been no improvement in public services.

The increasing tax on fuel is a prime example of Labour's stealth taxes. Since 1997 the amount of tax on a litre of petrol has increased by over 34pc. The motorist has become a milchcow, to be milked at will.

The Labour government ignores the rising anger of the motorist and farmers at its peril. It is very strange that we have not heard a word from any of our Labour MPs on the present fuel crisis or had any motions at council meeting condemning the Government over this matter I wonder why.

Coun STEPHEN SMAILES

Conservative group leader, Stockton Borough Council

Fairfield,

Stockton-on-Tees.

Sir, - There will not be a small business anywhere that was not severely affected by the fuel protest.

Hard pressed small businesses and self-employed people will suffer a severe downturn in businesses for the duration of this crisis but not as severe a crisis as they face every day with the when they fill up at the pumps and hand over 77pc of the price of unleaded fuel to the government coffers.

The actions of those seeking to express their anger over fuel prices by taking direct action is understandable. Britain, as an oil producing nation, should have the lowest prices in the EU not the highest.

In June the Darlington branch of the Federation of Small Businesses held a meeting in Mr Blair's constituency titled Cruel Fuel - Don't Fuel Business Failure. We invited the government minister Lord MacDonald to attend - perhaps now he regrets not attending and listening to us.

Mrs CHRIS WILLIAMSON

Secretary,

Darlington branch of the Federation of Small Businesses