The Editor, Sir:

I have noted with great interest Professor Nettleford's statement on the recent apology for slavery by British Prime Minister Tony Blair. And I am pleased that it has evoked at least one reaction.

But certainly Professor Nettleford could never believe that we should settle for a mere salving of conscience by a contribution to tertiary education, without debating and arriving at a clear and precise act of responsibility for this the most inhumane and economic exploitation of man against man.

I am cognisant of the professor's role in seeking funding for the university, and his approach fashioned as it is, could be appealing to the psyche of the British. But that is not good enough for me, and I await the debate, which I have placed on the Order Paper of Parliament to politically address the matter of reparations.

I have seen enough of apology after apology from sovereign rulers, presidents and citizens of countries who would be found guilty of this, the most heinous crime against humanity, and all for economic gain and power.

Such acts in the case of the Jews and Maoris (to name but two ethnic bodies), have carried with it economic costs to match the degree of man's inhumanity to man, and certainly slavery should have its economic price, as indeed it had for the slave owners.

No! Professor, a sly cop-out by the slave masters would not satisfy me, and I hope the country, especially as I also feel that the real educational needs are at the basic and primary and not at the top.

Let the debate and the decision begin. But let them pay the price in hard currency not in pious platitudes.

I am, etc.,

MIKE HENRY CD, M.P.