MADAM - I refer to the reports regarding paper car tax discs.

1. There is a ridiculous tendency these days to assume or require that everyone has a PC and are “on line” not only by Government departments but businesses also.

2. I know a number of people who do not have domestic computers and are not interested in them.

Others who do possess them but are not “on line” for several reasons.

There are also things like a “minimum charge” at around £40 to £60 per hour often plus VAT for a call out to quickly fix something, plus other associated costs.

3. Attitude: Why is everyone expected to have a computer and be “on line” especially those people whose income is restricted?

4. It’s past time this nonsense was “nipped in the bud”- anyway – before the power supply starts to fail or become intermittent.

(I recall PM Ted Heath’s four day working week) 5. OK, so the geeks at DVLA state that it will “save the Government zillions of pounds sterling” that is by passing it all on to you and me.

No doubt so the Government of any “colour” can happily throw away more of our good money after bad.

By the way, some types of account do not accept direct debits.

6. Further, my local post office assures me that we will still be able to pop along there to renew car tax at a post office.

(Ask at your local one – if you still have one) I’m told that a receipt will be issued –yes – so you can easily stick that on your windscreen if you so wish.

Purchasing at the post office will also help keep it in business.

That aspect is important.

Footnote: Once only, in 2010, did I try dealing with the DVLA “on line”.

I ran head on into endless trouble with what I termed a bunch of idiots.

I had to get our then MP to sort them out.

He achieved this and obtained a degree of sense all within 24 hours.

Magical what the letterhead from the House of Commons with the initials MP did.

For myself, the DVLA can take a running jump with its “on line” demands, I’ll continue to support my local post office.

Lee Prescott

Stonehouse