THE first duty of public administration is public safety, but this can lead to the state having excessive powers if there is a paranoia over some threat.

There could be a threat from criminals operating under the cloak of religion or politics. To increase the powers of the state to counter this take us on the slippery slope to totalitarianism and dictatorship.

The Northern Echo writes approvingly about Tony Blair. I don’t mind him coming out of his front door and expressing an opinion but under him he would have had suspects kept in custody for long periods without charge.

This reminds me too much of the excesses of Stalin.

The Government's proposed counter-terrorism legislation seems to target young Muslims.

It will make some of them fearful of travelling abroad and others more rebellious than they might otherwise be.

As a young man the main reason I travelled behind the then-Iron Curtain was because of the disapproval I encountered over the idea.

I was not unfortunate enough to be apprehended when I returned to this country. There was a mild Communist phobia but nothing in comparison the paranoia facing young radical Muslims.

There is too much good about this country for personal freedom to be sacrificed to an over-reaction to a threat which existing legal powers can cope with and I hope the proposed bill is defeated in parliament if it sees the light of day G Bulmer, Billingham.