Richard Graham (Standard letters 27/05/04 ) claims "Conservative success" for cheap aviation in Europe. Yet these cheap flights have been a disaster. Surely he must know aviation is the most highly-polluting transport mode on earth and its costs to the environment, health and the taxpayer, are huge.

Indeed the price tag for cheap flights is held artificially low thanks to a taxpayers' subsidy of £220 a year for every man, woman and child in the country.

Aviation is now the fastest source of carbon dioxide emissions contributing to climate change, and the effects of air pollution on public health are well documented. It is perhaps not surprising that our government tried to hide the report showing the damning evidence of increasing aircraft pollution.

The Green Party in contrast will be working in the European Parliament for the introduction of an aviation fuel tax to bring aviation into line with other modes of transport, and for a European level aviation emissions charge. We will continue to fight for a ban on night flights giving European citizens the right to a good night's sleep.

Val Michael, Tetbury Green Party, 37 Silver Street, Tetbury, Glos. GL8 8DL