I HAVE resisted getting involved in the proposed closure of the baby unit at Fairfield Hospital but Councillor John Byrne's letter (August 27) has prompted me to respond.

If the Government want to close the baby unit then the thought of Coun Byrne leading a fight against it is reminiscent of the Radcliffe councillors who vowed to fight to keep open the post offices and were photographed getting petitions signed. It was good for them with elections pending but had no effect whatsoever with regard to saving the post offices.

The question I would like answered is what happens to all the equipment for hospitals that has been provided through public subscription or gifts from grateful patients? Will they just be "stolen" by other hospitals?

The MBC, likes its national government, has become more undemocratic with its use of the Cabinet-style of operation. They pretend to be "open" by inviting people to join steering committees and giving them a chance to seemingly be part of the decision-making process. But in the end the council does what it wants. But it looks as if you have been consulted -- when in actual fact you have been manipulated!

If proof of this is needed then I suggest reading the letter (September 3) from A. Withington relating to the standards committee and to councillors' allowances. He describes how responsibility for voting has been taken away from "independents" and given to another committee where they can not vote.

In closing I would like to refer to a recent letter from Councillor Audin, the "Older People's Champion". He wrote such nice things about the staff or Warthfield -- which they have just closed -- and assures us that the carers have been found other work.

I concur with his comments about such fine staff and am delighted that their services have been retained. Anything else would have been unforgivable as the council have tolerated "lead swingers" and perpetual absenteeism in the town hall, so it's only right and proper that good staff should be protected.

One thing I would point out to Coun Audin.

He says that there are 93 vacancies in elderly persons' homes throughout the MBC. When we at CARE (Care and Respect for the Elderly) were campaigning about home closures we were constantly given similar figures, but even social services could not get them to add up!

BERNARD SLINGSBY