I AM sorry that your correspondent, M McDougall (Letters: January 9, 2003) was not able to take the time to check the accuracy of the rules on benefit for hospital patients cited (or the views attributed to me and my colleague Joan Humble) not least as both were inaccurate and that this was not picked up before the letter was printed. Under current rules, patients have their benefit cut after six weeks in hospital -- not four as your correspondent asserts.

This dates from 1949, with the rules being tightened up by the Conservatives in 1987.

Far from supporting this policy, I have, together with many of my colleagues, worked actively at Westminster to see it changed, and in December 2001 backed a motion in the Commons urging a complete review of these regulations.

Partly as a result of these representation, the Government announced in February of last year that it would be making wide ranging changes to these rules.

As a result, from October this year, support to benefit recipients in hospital will effectively be doubled, with patients entitled to full benefit for 13 weeks.

This change will directly benefit 26,000 people -- including about 20,000 pensioners -- who will now not have their benefit cut at all, and will give those who unfortunately need to stay in hospital for longer periods three months on full benefit to enable them to make arrangements.

I can assure you that I will continue to monitor closely the effect of these regulations to see if there is a need for further change.

I hope that this clarifies matters.

Gordon Marsden MP, Blackpool South

Editor's note - as long as their views are not malicious, vicious or libellous this column will act as a forum where the thoughts of our readers can be freely expressed, even if it can be argued that, on occasions, some feel their views may contain inaccuracies.

I can tell you that I have, over the years, printed plenty of political tripe (masquerading as factual information) from councillors and MPs from all sides of the political spectrum and I don't see why our readers shouldn't be afforded the same courtesy.