I have just been shown a letter from Michael Howard to a friend of mine.

Again the Conservatives seem to be playing fast and loose with the facts in order to scapegoat a group of vulnerable people.

Mr Howard claims that the cost to the county council of the asylum system meant that Band D council tax is £593 higher than it was in 1997. I inquired about this and found that money spent by the county council on asylum is reimbursed by the Government and these costs therefore could not have an impact on the council tax.

I am surprised that Conservative county councillors did not put Mr Howard right, particularly as I presume this letter has been sent to many Oxfordshire residents. Are you thinking what I am thinking -- that the Tories mislead people?

JANET MORGAN

Warwick Close, Abingdon