Letter of the law

Ian Murray MP is right to question the long-term future of the universal postal service obligation (USO) (your report, 13 September).

The government is arguing that it will be protected by law. However, no government can bind its successor. So any future government, with a sufficient parliamentary majority, could at any time pass an act removing the USO protection, in response to arguments that delivery to islands and other rural areas is not profitable. In short, no guarantee by the present government can last longer than the next general election. Inhabitants of the Scottish Islands, Highlands and other rural areas should be aware of this, and make their views known accordingly.

R D Cramond

Oswald Road

Edinburgh