Home-making is best

I read John Urwin’s letter ‘Production lines’  three times to make sure I was not missing his point.

It is amazing how naive the general public is about the manufacturing industry and what it really offers the UK.

Making money is only half the challenge — the other is to have the in-house capability and technological know-how to make things for ourselves.

If, for instance, there is a conflict in Asia in 20 years’ time and we have based all our production there, how can we safeguard our security when we won’t be able to source anything — unless the US comes to our aid again at a very high cost.

Think of the Falklands crisis and ask yourself if it could have been won without aircraft, warships, and guided weapons.

Ben Tamizian

Whetstone

Leicestershire