WITH bus queues set to become much shorter due to the hordes of multi-millionaire pensioners handing back their bus passes, in one clearly thought-out and cogent pronouncement, Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith seems set to clear the deficit with the huge savings this idea will garner ("Charity hits out at remarks over pensioners' benefits", The Herald, April 29).

And, with so few people using them, the buses will be easier to keep to schedule and run on time. Well done, sir. Unless, of course, it is another cynical pronouncement whereby a ludicrous, unworkable and divisive comment is being used to start a debate on the means testing and then removal of what is, for many, a lifeline to community, friends and family.

Dr Graeme Finnie,

Balgillo,

Albert Street,

Blairgowrie.

MY elderly mother could just about afford to give up her bus pass, heating allowance and free TV licence as proposed by Iain Duncan Smith and would definitely be willing to contribute to the national finances in this way if George Osborne could persuade some of his well-heeled chums to do their own bit by contributing some of the savings he has made for them through his rather generous decision to reduce top level tax from 50% to 45%. In it together? Hardly.

Steve Inch,

72 Stirling Drive,

Glasgow.