SIR, – Mrs Mandeville has reiterated her call for the elected convener of the Crofting Commission to be 'dismissed'. Why? He appears to call it as it is, warts and all.

Unfortunately, the system we now have under a command and control government, brooking no opposition and permitted to act thus by a supine parliament, forces him to conduct business in the public prints and not in the ministerial office.

Mrs Mandeville calls for all to be put before a parliamentary review. Not the place for the particulars of Upper Coll to be discussed.

Of course, the review process will give her and her fellow travellers the opportunity to discuss their panacea – Shuksmith – 'the unfinished business', which so many crofters opposed seven years ago. And which has done so much to over burden the commission administration with unnecessary regulation, creating the chaos and grid lock we now find.

Collectivist ideas have ill served crofters in recent times. The rights of individual crofters are being trashed and we hear not a word from the high command of the SCF on the matter.

Without individuals, protected by the law, able to avail themselves of their rights and prospering, the system will fail utterly.

Mr Kennedy was elected by crofters. Who elected Mrs Mandeville? With what mandate does she operate?

I K MacKenzie,

The Willows,

Elphin,

by Lairg