I WAS interested to read that Catherine Bearder, European Member of Parliament for the South East of England, is actually located in Park End Street, Oxford (ViewPoints, October 30).

I have never heard of her. I understand that Daniel Hannan is also a European Member of Parliament for the South East of England but gives his address as “Rue Wiertz” in Brussels.

In her recent letter, MEP Bearder rather pompously declares that “The Commission” was not contacted for comment on the use of “jam jars”. Well as I am not aware of any method of contacting “The Commission” perhaps she could enlighten us all on the following.

As there are serious security problems around the world e.g. Syria, Iran, North Korea, The Arab Spring etc, which are routinely debated at the UN and in the Governments of the USA, Russia, France and the UK to name but a few: 1: what are we paying Baroness Ashton for? The invisible EU Foreign Minister. We also have an EU President, Mr Herman Von Rumpouy.

2. Who actually elected this famous unknown Belgian and what is he actually doing about the Euro crisis (that Angela Merkel isn’t already doing)? As the president and foreign minister no doubt she receive a significant chunk in salaries out of the £10bn a year that the UK “donates” to the EU. Can she tell us what the remainder of the £10bn is spent on, other than what my elected government provides?

3. Why on earth does it want a reported further £1.2bn and what is that going to be spent on?

Having visited Brussels and seen the gargantuan headquarters of the EU it’s unfortunately not hard to guess.

IAN CUMMINGS, Gibson Close, Abingdon