I really do wish that the Construction Confederation would read my columns more carefully before misrepresenting my comments (14 January, page 37).

There was no suggestion that I personally felt 鈥渄isenfranchised鈥�; in fact my company and I are very satisfied working with the inclusive and integrated CBI, which is the most effective lobbying organisation I have worked with.

What I did say was that 鈥渞eal construction鈥� (the 80% of the industry that actually does the constructing bit) has lost all influence with government 鈥� because the Major Contractors Group persuaded government that it spoke for the whole industry鈥� 鈥� which, in my opinion, it does not.

The reason we resigned from the confederation (8 September 2000, page 31) was that 鈥渢he Construction Confederation was divisive, obstructive and dominated by the majors 鈥� and failed to pursue policies that promote and develop the interests of our type of company鈥�.

Judging from Roy Wakeman鈥檚 letter on behalf of the confederation, it does not look as though much has changed. I may be old enough to accept that some of my views are 鈥渏aundiced鈥� but it is certainly not me who is 鈥渙utdated鈥�.

Colin Harding, George & Harding

Topics