Madam, Richard Mayo should be congratulated for his observations. We are in agreement that things are looking better on the retail side. His initiative to relaunch the Far­mer's Market for the Autumn is commendable.

As a rider to the piece one should not forget that such initatives are part of the Mayor's project this year, he has in no small measure (a large measure please Merv) shown considerable foresight.

Mervyn James