Letter: Costly questions

Sir: Having voted for Norman Baker in the last election I am worried by the reputation he has acquired for asking a record number of allegedly trivial questions in the Commons, and his odd argument that extra work does not have any cost (letter, 7 December). One wonders which of his constituents' welfare was advanced by knowing the age of the oldest bottle of wine in the Foreign Office cellars.

Mr Baker should take care. His Lewes constituency is a marginal one. If the Conservatives ever recover from the shock of losing the seat, any reputation for triviality could be exploited by them, and the cost of his questions would be borne by him and his party.

PAUL BARRACLOUGH

Seaford,

East Sussex