I read with interest the article on the Glendoe hydroelectric power project in Scotland (3 December, page 10).

You reported the accusation that a German contractor was basing its bid costs on the use of cheap labour flown in from Romania.

For those of us who have worked in Germany and other European countries since the opening of our employment market to former Eastern Bloc countries, the sight of cheap foreign labour on building sites is a familiar one.

Surely Hochtief, the contractor in question, is only using its experience of working with former Eastern Bloc companies to give it a competitive advantages over more established British contractors. After all, had British firms been able to make their mark in Germany and eastern Europe, they would have undoubtedly used similar methods of employment for their site labour in Britain.

Alan Gebhard, via email

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