I READ with real interest the reported comment made by Alan Cotton, Director of Finance for Blackburn with Darwen Council, relative to council tax rebates in the Livesey area (LET, January 25).

It is reported that Mr Cotton considers the issue to be a 'minor anomaly.' If this issue is, in his, opinion a minor concern, then I would be interested to learn what he would consider a major one to be.

I have been helping some residents to claim their rebates, not an easy task by any standards. Even after receiving official notification, the length of time some people have been made to wait for their rebate cheque leaves a lot to be desired.

Only after several telephone calls to the appropriate office have their cheques been despatched.

How inefficient is this?

Another perhaps 'minor' issue for you, Mr Cotton: how much money has the council accrued in interest on the total amount overpaid by residents? Has this interest been repaid also, or is this another factor that has been conveniently ignored?

It has been reported that Mr Cotton has refused to disclose the total amount repaid to date. I am interested to learn why. Are the people of Blackburn not entitled to the facts and figures?

I wonder if the situation was reversed and it was the residents who owed the council money for approximately 10 years, would the same principles have applied? I think we all know the answer.

A 'minor anomaly,' Mr Cotton? -- a major injustice is perhaps nearer the truth.

M WHALLEY (Mrs), Alpine Grove, Blackburn.