So Stephen Castle thinks I have missed the point about the number of quangos involved in the decision-making in our county (Echo, March 12).

As evidence, he says as an elected county councillor he serves as deputy chairman of the Thames Gateway South Essex Partnership. My point exactly - just when and by whom was he elected to be a member of the Thames Gateway quango?

While Mr Castle is busy correcting our misconceptions about the number of people who dictate our future without being elected, it would be nice if he spelt out the total number of people not only appointed, as he is, but employed in the quango he is so proud to be deputy chairman of.

Last, but not least, it would be interesting to find out just how much it costs us taxpayers to employ this army of useless, self- important public sector limpets.

Victor York
Buller Road
Laindon