Your letter of the day (July 17) from Michael Moyston contains some basic misunderstandings, which might explain the facile conclusions to which his argument leads him.

He attended both town hall meetings in Montego Bay and Ocho Rios and asked the same question at each one. Obviously, he was disappointed that his views were not supported and that he did not get the answer he desires.

Moyston is convinced of the need for a quick and drastic reduction of the transfer tax. However, as was explained to him, desirable as this may be, there is no guarantee that it would lead to the explosion of activity and the widespread beneficial results to the overall economy that he anticipates. The Government has to be careful, and particularly in these uncertain times, the move has to be made at a timely pace that will allow the revenues from this source to be available to help meet the many urgent demands on the Budget. Patience here is virtuous.

The letter writer's estimate of the crowd in attendance at these meetings is faulty. He said there were fewer than 300 persons in each case. However, based on the number of chairs that were provided and occupied, the numbers of persons outside the halls, and also according to police estimates, it was more than twice that number.

Feedback

Audience participation, measured by the number of persons who queued to ask questions of the prime minister, was very good. This has been the case at all four town hall meetings that have been held so far. Scores of respondents who took the trouble to fill questionnaires distributed at the town hall meetings have said that they now have a much better understanding of the issues.

The meetings are aimed at hearing the voices of the people and keeping them informed; and judging by the enthusiastic and voluminous feedback, our objectives are being achieved.

I am, etc.,

KEN JONES

Director of Communications

Office of the Prime Minister