In the diatribe against the town of Stroud (Stroud described, News and Journal March 22) Reinhold Maria Binder says that 'Stroud, like so many towns, is the direct result of the council's austerity measures'.

This reveals a very short memory.

For year after year since the Conservative government came to power the grants to local government all of the country have been drastically reduced.

It is remarkable what local governments have been able to do in spite of the drastic austerity imposed by the Conservative government.

Yours faithfully,

Peter B. Godfrey (Rev.)

Stonehouse