The Editor, Sir:

The poor are being squeezed on every side. In 1999, I went to the National Housing Trust office in Spanish Town and completed forms and paid money as a self-employed person.

I intended to seek a build-on-own-land benefit. While in the United States, my husband sent another cheque for $36,000. We returned home in 2007, and on visiting the Housing Trust, there was no record of any money paid, and even the first woman whom I paid a cheque for $26,000 was no longer there.

I went to a dentist to extract a tooth. I have a Blue Cross card. The dentist encouraged me to fill it at a cost of $26,000. I paid $4,000 and did not go back. I go to the market at Old Harbour, and all scales are backed to steal the poor; and supermarkets too. Where are inspectors of weights and measures?

Every day prices are increased. The poor are being robbed on every side. What must we do?

I am, etc.,

S REID

P.O. Box 54