November 12.

One can but applaud the common sense displayed by Arthur Bell,

chairman of the Scottish Tory Reform Group, in his reported remarks on

''crazy'' council reforms (November 12).

My association entirely agrees that the Highlands should have more

than one council after the shake-up, a view which is backed by the

majority of the region's population, businesses, community councils, and

elected representatives.

How can we all be wrong?

Mr Bell says the proposals will create ''monstrosities'', and that is

certainly the right word for what will emerge in the Highlands if the

Government sticks to its guns.

We face the prospect of an area larger than Wales and only marginally

smaller than Belgium being run by a pan-Highland authority with only 50

or 60 elected members.

This is hardly consistent with the sort of democratic accountability

the Government is always harping on about and does not take account of

Environment Secretary John Gummer's stated position that local consensus

should be given particular weight.

Provost William Fraser,

Chairman, Association of

Highland District Councils,

Town House,

Inverness.