THERE is always a debate about the state of the country’s finances under Labour. There is no dispute that there is a budget deficit, but this is largely due to the need to rescue the banks.

As to any deficit before it was necessary to take extraordinary measures to keep the economy going, that is a matter for some dispute because it depends on how the sums of money included in the public-private partnerships are recorded and accounted for.

I take the view that provided the Government acts to reduce the deficit once we are out of recession it will be acting responsibly.

It is, of course, a matter on which the electors will give their judgement when the General Election is called.

Geoffrey Bulmer, Billingham.