You invited readers' responses as to whether we agreed or disagreed with the prime minister's gesture on pay cuts. I specifically use the word 'gesture' because it is not the ministers who are feeling the pinch, but the civil servants who cannot get their pay increase. I agree that times are hard and that we must all sacrifice, but the ministers of government can do more.

They live in official residences or get allowances, drive government vehicles (which includes gas and maintenance), use government cell phones, etc. So their salary really does not go into paying for expenses that other people have to. No light bill, no water bill, no telephone bill etc.

I would like the prime minister to advise as to how many consultants/advisers are employed to the Government. I know of a minister who currently has two. If we assume a basic pay of $2.5 million and multiply this by the number of ministers of government (comprising ministers, ministers of state, parliamentary secretaries etc), we get just over $80 million for consultants/advisers, assuming that each minister only has one adviser.

If things are as hard as they are, shouldn't the Government recon-sider the number of its advisers. I do believe that, in times like these, we all need to make sacrifices and this should be especially evident in the powers that be. So yes, show by example, but make the example meaningful and not just a 'gesture'.

I am, etc.,

YASMIN GOLDEN

yayago60@yahoo.com