The seven men, ranging in age from 18 to their late 30s, were not from the area.. The heaviest drinkers were not only drinking less but also were experiencing substantially fewer problems.While the population is drinking less than in Victorian times, consumption per capita has virtually doubled since 1950, which hardly seems grounds for the drinks industry to raise anxieties about the spread of a worldwide temperance influence.Yours sincerely,BRUCE RITSONConsultant, Alcohol ProblemsClinicRoyal Edinburgh HospitalEdinburgh13 April. It is logical to question: do we ask too much of the police by expecting them to clear up not only petty crime (whose pettiness may not be evident to its victims), but also serious crimes such as assaults, rape, murder and large-scale fraud? In many ways it is a tribute to the police that our expectations remain relatively high. Even at 6.5 per cent confidence remains a crucial factor, she says.

Thus the available candidates are standing by in a country house near Brighton, going through various tests and waiting for the call, the standing ovation and the permanent 24-hour headache. First nights are often a problem and on this occasion everyone seemed to be trying a little too hard. Until 31 August, Travelbag (0420 88380) has a fare on Virgin Atlantic from Heathrow to JFK of pounds 295 plus pounds 25 tax. It was made in 1965, but shelved till 1969, after Redford had become a star.(Photograph omitted). THE dramatic departure of Peter Davis as co-chairman of Reed Elsevier, the Anglo- Dutch publishing group, was portrayed last week as the defeat of a headstrong British chief executive by an inflexible phalanx of Dutch partners determined to impose a continental European style of rule by committee. Especially with Mike Gatting turning his arm over and Warwickshire grinding along at two an over.The suspicion that Warwickshire are a one-man batting side deepened as Williams and Fraser were rewarded and Johnson celebrated with the dismissals of Dermott Reeve and Paul Smith.Johnson ended with 3 for 45, his Championship best.

Supporters' chanting has more to do with rhyme and alliteration than deification. Emma NaylorOxford(Photograph omitted). One story, about retarded adolescence, 'As of July 6, I am Responsible for No Debts Other than My Own', seems to have wandered in from Jack Kerouac without wiping its boots. The main concerns include its board and committee structure, its alleged lack of accountability, and the chairmanship of Joe Palmer, the former chief executive of Legal & General, the life insurer recently fined pounds 180,000.At Thursday's meeting at the Commons, Garry Heath, chief executive of the National Association of Independent Financial Advisers, outlined fears that the PIA would be dominated by the banks and life insurers.David Willetts, the Conservative MP for Havant, who attended, said the Chancellor was robust in his determination to see the PIA implemented. In seeking to accommodate all opinions, however, he has often satisfied none.