LABOUR council leader, Bob Price, defends Oxford City Council for its use of a credit card to pay off bills to companies who either supplied or did work for the council, saying that it speeded up payments (Oxford Mail, June 2).

He goes on further to justify its use, saying that employers in both the private and public sector have been using them for many years and that the Government recommended it because “it is a cheap and effective means by which suppliers get paid immediately”.

A Government recommendation carries very little weight these days, due to scandals created by members of the House over their individual expense accounts, which are yet to be sorted out.

What I find disturbing with the Oxford city accounts are the payments for new furniture, new carpets and white goods for some 7,800 council houses.

I can understand the council, as the landlord, being responsible for the permanent and essential fixtures, but when it supplies furnishings it takes responsibility to maintain those items and replace them when they are broken or worn out. But council houses are not rented out as being fully furnished.

There are many charitable associations who would assist the needy and it should be left to them.

The credit card has its uses but should not be abused to pay for items piled on which are the responsibility of the tenant.

VIM RODRIGO, Rivermead Road, Rose Hill, Oxford