SIR – In David Jenning’s letter (T&A, April 19), he raises some very valid questions, one of which was whether the state should have continued to own a variety of utilities.

We know that the Thatcherites believed that everything should be privately owned – even health services.

Isn’t it ironic then that privatised utility Yorkshire Water Services is back in Government hands?

In this case, it is the Government of Singapore and partners who called themselves ‘Saltaire Water’.

Surely this disproves the Thatcherites’ mantra that state ownership is wrong?

John Hall, Pennithorne Avenue, Baildon