the Rev David Keddie's suggestion that 32 local authorities are unsustainable in Scotland, is one more in a tedious series of such views (Letters, April 19).

The idea that reducing the number of councils would produce major savings is unfounded. It would also cost a fortune before there was any potential for longer term savings.

More crucially, if Mr. Keddie were living in Blairgowrie, say, as I do, and associated with a council whose headquarters were not in Glasgow, I guarantee he would have a different view. The notion of reverting to regional authorities is an anathema. The evidence shows the spend per capita in the principal settlements, essentially cities like Glasgow, was grossly in excess of that for rural areas..

Councillor Alan Grant, Deputy Leader, Perth and Kinross SNP Group,

2 High Street, Perth.