AS current legislation is framed there is no need for the Government to accede to the demands for a referendum on the latest EU Treaty.

Analysis of these demands shows that a referendum would be used as a tool to express dissatisfaction with the Government.

Should it be decided to run a referendum there would need to be information to enable the public to gain the depths of understanding of the workings of the EU.

Time would have to be taken to enable the levels of decision-making under which we live to be properly understood.

Given the sensible approach most people have, the vote would most probably be in favour of the treaty, a close study of which reveals that there is a bigger role for national parliaments, greater transparency of what the EU can or cannot do, a greater focus on global challenges and more streamlined EU institutions.

With the facts revealed people might ask: "Why have the expense of a referendum?"

Bill Morehead, Darlington.