I WOULD like to respond to Mr Iain Camick's letter (December 30), "We are paying for EU immigrants".

Firstly, the majority of EU immigrants who work in this country do not arrive with dependants, so their contribution through taxation to this country is of a greater net benefit.

They mainly work here to send money to their country of origin, and, after they have achieved their goal, they return home.

There is an argument that they should pay less tax, as they do not benefit from the majority of the riches Mr Camick claims are heaped on them, but have the same direct and indirect taxation as him.

There is a strong feeling among employers in this region that the work ethic of these workers is very high; this may cause problems with parts of the indigenous labour force, who find this threatening.

From a personal standpoint, I am married to a wonderful lady from ex-Yugoslavia, who works for a large national high street retail store. She has an exemplary employment record. In four years, she has been promoted twice, has never had a working day off, has never been late, and she enjoys hard work and the benefits it brings from a first-class employer. The company was also started by an immigrant.

I want stronger integration in Europe. I have never been frightened by the East, but I am by the West. After all, look what Bush has done for the world.

SM Elster, Carter Street, Bolton