I WROTE two weeks ago on the subject of council housing, pointing out I thought that it wrong that a convicted murderer could be higher on the priority list for a council house than a law-abiding young couple.

Last week, Cllr Joyce Pritchard told us it was because the council was under obligation to house certain categories of people by law. But that doesn't make it right does it?

Being a lay preacher, I am privileged to be able to speak on the issues of right and wrong on a regular basis from the pulpit. I often preach about equality, but as far as I can see, this couple are not being treated with the same courtesy when it comes to council housing.

There should be an equal need for all people and a fair way of moving up the list for housing. After all, queue jumping was never polite.

After writing that I'd looked into the availability of council houses for young couples, Cllr Pritchard assumed I'd looked into legislation regarding the building or buying of council houses. I must apologise, I didn't go that far.

Cllrr Pritchard also wishes to know which council property is standing empty so that she can look into it. I would like to point out that she is the city council Cabinet member with responsibility for council housing and so should not need to ask me about council housing.

However, as I always try to help where I can, the house in question is on Lancaster's Marsh Estate. The address is 4 Cedar Road and as I write this letter, it has been empty for 10 weeks.

Sean Kelly, Lancaster.