Letter: Nyet

Sir: I recently sought permission to employ an au pair girl from Russia but I have learnt from the immigration and nationality directorate of the Home Office that Russia is not included in the list of countries whose nationals may enter the UK as au pairs, and that there are no plans to extend the scheme.

This surprised me, particularly as nationals of countries such as Bosnia, Croatia, Macedonia, Slovenia and Turkey may come. Why is Russia excluded? This seems a very short-sighted policy because it is to everyone's advantage that Britain has ties of friendship with Russia.

PAMELA PERRIN

Baldock, Hertfordshire