Sir, – I refer to the letter “Lariam legacy” from Lt Col (retired) Andrew Marriot (D&S, April 24).

Mr Marriot describes his efforts for having a debate on the use of Lariam in the British Army as getting bogged down between government departments and having letters lost.

Surely William Hague, who has been our Member of Parliament, should be representing our soldiers at Catterick Garrison. They are after all his constituents, he should be leading and driving to get a solution to this problem. The soldiers now have a choice of voting for a political party that is willing to take this problem seriously.

Lt Col Marriot says that service personnel should demand alternative medication. I am not from a service background (or political) but I would have thought that if service personnel made such demands they would be kissing goodbye to any chance of promotion.

Our next MP should, the day after the General Election, ask for an independently-driven debate with all parties present formed with a matter of urgency. All aspects should be reviewed, to include why did the American Army stop using this drug? Are soldier’s families who are affected compensated fully for the problems that this this drug causes? And how much is that costing? Then how long has this problem been known and why has it not been resolved before now?

BRIAN TYLDESLEY

Middleham.