SIR - Thank goodness the euro has arrived in the form of real money, at least in those 12 countries across the Channel.

I've just come back from a coach tour over Christmas to Austria - only seven days, but involving six different currencies. With the single currency, I now won't have to get a few francs of Belgian money just to buy a coffee, or change sterling into Deutschmarks so I can have an evening meal in Germany. From now on, one size will fit all (except of course for the Danes, Swedes, and us).

It's not just personal. Changing holiday money costs the average Yorkshireman £8 per journey - say up to £40 for a family holiday. This makes us a disadvantaged minority when we go abroad as we still have to change our pounds into euros, and at an uncertain variable rate.

In the modern business world, we can't afford to go it alone either. Over half of all our trade goes to Europe. Up to 3.5 million jobs depend on this trade. As long as we stay aloof from the single European currency, we will be at a disadvantage, on both business and on holiday.

John Murray, Moorside Road, Honley, Huddersfield HD9 6HR

SIR - The "ordinary working man" in this country has been the victim of deception for a thousand years. The only one's who want to keep the pound are the members of the Establishment who will not lightly relinquish their power and those with money "under the mattress".

In 1914 Englishmen were told that they were fighting a short war to ensure that this would be a land fit for heroes. It was with the same incentive that they fought the Second World War.

Britain should then have been the leader in the movement for a united Europe. Instead, our lords and masters pulled up the drawbridge to protect their self-interests once again.

Those of us who are part of the "baby-boom generation" were led to believe that class distinctions had disappeared. Those arguing against the euro are the deceivers and the deceived. A strong, single currency makes sense - political and economic sense. Ever heard of a poor banker?

Let's not be fooled again!

Michael Bell, Summerbridge Crescent, Eccleshill.

SIR - America is excellent at manipulating matters for its own advantage. Fearing for the decrease of its own white population in global percentage terms, it attempts to restrict births in Third World countries via bribery. Contraception and sterilisation were rewarded with transistor radios not so long ago.

Western education teaches us that Africa and India have a high birth rate, as if it is a cause for concern. Why should this be a problem as the death rate equals the birth rate?

America is excellent at causing friction between two parties and then standing aside to watch people kill each other. Wars orchestrated by the West ensure the Third World remains dependent upon the West, restrict countries' development and stem population growth.

The rebuilding after war always ensures Western loans are used to purchase Western expertise and products. So the loans go back to the West, certifying that the developing country remains in the clutches of America.

The manner in which America dealt with the bombings on the World Trade Centre ensured friction increased between Palestine and Israel, and now, Pakistan and India. India and Israel feel confident that they are acting as America had and therefore will have its support.

Saeeda Naz, Elwyn Road, Bradford 5

SIR - Whether bin Laden is alive or dead, he still taunts America with a new video.

I think on reflection, the USA should really take stock of the situation that led to the attack on the World Trade Centre.

It is all very well for their ideal concept of taller and taller buildings, they are even now talking about something higher than the original towers.

Shouldn't they be asking themselves if they hadn't been so ambitious and kept the towers to a sensible height, would the bin Laden organisation have picked on something less spectacular?

I think the relatives and loved ones of those that perished will be on the side of 'smaller is beautiful' when the architects get down to designing replacements.

Kenneth E Higgins, Carr Bottom Grove, Little Horton.