Smaller majority

JAMES Matthews (Letters, 17 April) is mistaken when it comes to the population of England.

The population of England is 83.9 per cent of the UK total, not the 95 per cent that he claims.

Scotland accounts for 8.4 per cent of the total, Wales for 4.9 per cent and Northern Ireland for 2.8 per cent.

The English are a large majority outnumbering the rest some five to one, but they are not the overwhelming majority outnumbering the rest by 19 to one as he claims. Accuracy in these matters is important; Mr Matthews will be asking for England to have 618 seats in a 650 seat House of Commons next!

Andrew Parrott

Stuart Avenue

Perth