LETTER: Charged issue

From Mr R. D. MacLeod

Sir: Andrew Marshall's problems with Europlugs ("It's hard to hack it when the Europlugs don't fit", 20 February) will be of interest to those rich enough to own a computer and to travel abroad. There is a much greater problem with Europlugs, however, which could affect even property in the UK.

I understand from Yorkshire Electricity that the European Union wishes to persuade us to change to a standard European plug for domestic circuits. This will apparently mean changing from the ring main system, fitted to all buildings at present, to the Continental star system, at an estimated cost of £2,000 to £3,000 per household. As we changed to ring main from star for reasons of safety, some 30 years ago, this seems a pointless and expensive exercise.

Yours faithfully,

R. D. MACLEOD

Little Smeaton,

West Yorkshire

23 February