DEAR EDITOR, - With reference to Mr Derek Lloyd's comments in the Western Telegraph (April 13th) justifying foreign labour on the Waterston LNG project.

With all the furore surrounding the LNG developments in the locality, surely the most favourable factor in awarding planning was the prospect of giving the economy of Pembrokeshire a much-needed boost by creating many jobs for the local communities, either by direct employment, or by local companies who can provide the skills and equipment required.

Having worked in the construction industry for many years, I am familiar with the various systems of procurement for large projects such as these and am also aware that there are many services that the site will require that Pembrokeshire will simply not be able to provide.

But, at the current stage of construction of the Waterston site, Pembrokeshire has a fantastic network of companies that can currently provide the required skills needed, and should have been the first port of call until all resources in that department were exhausted.

Would Mr Lloyd please note that there are several companies that I have worked for which would have been more than capable of completing the initial phases of construction and which would have been ecstatic at being given the opportunity of work on the Waterston LNG Project, but obviously did not for the following reason. As Mr Lloyd stated, these men are skilled men and the local companies would recognise that fact. They would have tendered a package to include more realistic rates of pay, with various financial incentives in place to ensure loyalty and good workmanship.

Instead, we have a labour agency controlling the recruitment and paying relatively poor rates in relation to what the job entails. Therefore, the only labour they can acquire are foreign workers who will work for the rates that are being offered.

It is such a shame that once again money has taken precedence over morals. Sometimes, the lowest price is not always the best overall package - a fact that is recognised by many multi-national sized construction companies. I really do hope that the whole construction process is not carried out in this way, as eventually several important factors will start to become compromised.

M. A. SCOURFIELD 12 Woodbine Terrace, Pembroke.