THE EDITOR, Sir:

The insistence of the media in keeping this termite trivia alive would seem to suggest that the infestation is far more widespread than the Prime Minister estimated.

As far as I am aware, there has been an increase of between 37 per cent and 40 per cent in the prices of flour, corn and oil on the world market in recent times. In addition to this, there was some adjustment in our exchange rate in the weeks leading up to the election. These adjustments are enough to have a negative impact on every facet of our lives. The external contribution to this situation is obvious to everyone who is able to read or has a TV set. STATIN informed us that the inflation figures would be late for the next few months, and they told us why. The first person who would know of this is the former Minister of Finance.

What is happening now is that the Opposition is blaming the Government for these price increases and the former Finance Minister can't figure out why inflation figures are late. The PM cannot understand the inability of the Opposition to understand the factors contributing to these condi-tions and describes it figuratively, as being as if "termites are eating out their brains". I disagree with him. I think the Opposition tells us these things because they think termites are eating out our brains.

If I were asked to give a word of advice to the Opposition, I would first encourage them to get rid of the spin doctors and start building a reputation of truth and trust.

I am, etc.,

GLENN TUCKER

Stony Hill, Kingston 9