I thought it would be useful to put Sir George Bain's recommendations of a four per cent pay rise in the context of average earnings.

Average earnings increase to August, 3.9 per cent. Average earnings October 2002, £458.50 a week. All male, £505.60. Non-manual, £508.70. Male non-manual,£600.50. Firefighter £400. Qualified firefighter after four years, £412.80.

Sir George's recommendation means: Firefighter, £416. Qualified firefighter,£429.30. Therefore, the average firefighter will still earn £42.60 less than the national average and £89 less a week than the national average for male workers.

A qualified firefighter will still earn £79.40 less than the average for his pay group and £171 a week less than the male average - all this for 42 hours a week, including nights and weekends Somehow, I do not believe this will be acceptable to firefighters. Do you?

-Jim Parrott, Hythe Road, Brighton