SIR – I am amazed at the interest from all quarters (mostly complimentary) aroused by my recent denunciation in the T&A Letters page of a ‘Minister for the Elderly’.

I believe a pensioner’s basic needs are for health, housing, pensions and social security in all its aspects. As there are ministers appointed for these, I cannot see what duties this minister with all his costly bureaucracy would provide. National charities and local organisations meet local needs. These are more important than a remote Minister. If we are organising petitions, organise them for our local organisations While I agree with Paul Russell of Yorks and Humberside Pensioners Convention (Letters, January 5), the convention is a fine organisation, but I repeat it does lack teeth, and the teeth should be provided by retired politicians, union bosses etc, but they receive their big pensions and retire into obscurity.

The exception was Rodney Bickerstaff, who often attended our meetings in Bradford.

Mr Russell believes our idea of “networking” is feeble. We successfully network with organisations in London and Scotland, and our collective thoughts have had questions asked in the Scottish Parliament.

So, Mr Russell, please do not be so patronising and use all the methods that you can.

Audrey Raistrick, Secretary, Neighbourly Care (Bradford), Westgate, Eccleshill