18 DECEMBER 1971, Page 18

Sir: Mr Hugh Macpherson's 'Political Commentary' (December 4) reports a

feeling that in considering an early general election the Government can discount unemployment, since "it tends to occur in regions such as Scotland and the North of England which are Labour strongholds anyway."

In 1970 the Conservative party gained ten Labour seats in Lancashire and five in Yorkshire. Without them it would have no parliamentary majority.

M. B. Daniels 134 Bradshaw Road, Bradshaw, near Bolton