Thank you to J. Stone (Letters 15th March 2004) for welcoming my letter that highlighted the gross inadequacies of our State pension. J.Stone asks if Greens supported a motion at Stroud District Council calling upon the Government to replace the increasingly controversial council tax with a tax based on ability to pay. We did. The Council tax, as we know, hits hardest many of the poorest people in society - including many pensioners. We all know it urgently needs replacing with something fairer. Sadly, most Conservative and Labour councillors voted against the motion. However the budget announcement that the Treasury is to look seriously at the long-held Green Party policy of land value taxation is to be very welcomed. Much of the wealth in this country is not made from earning but from owning and our tax system should reflect that. This would be a much fairer system. It is good that the Government has finally taken notice of another solid Green policy. Let us hope the interests big business don't change their mind as they have on so many issues like GM and chemicals in the environment.

Martin Whiteside, Green Party Parliamentary Candidate for Stroud Hillside, Claypits lane, Lypiatt, Stroud, Glos. GL6 7LU