Letter: Labour's slave society

I AM one of probably few people who would deny that those who can work necessarily have a "duty" to do so ("Farewell to welfare as Blair orders Britain to work", 26 March).

For most of mankind's existence, before all-embracing states, people had the option, if they did not like, for whatever reason, the society in which they found themselves, to leave and do their best elsewhere, on vacant land. As this option is not available these days, it is very reasonable to expect the state to provide financial compensation for its loss, in the form of a basic guaranteed income.

A society from which there is no exit, and in which all have a duty to work, is a slave society.

GRAHAM ROUNCE

London E2