I AM writing in answer to the questions posed (Gazette letters, March 11) by Miss Menelaws about the Liberal Democrats' proposals to replace council tax with a local income tax.

Only people who pay income tax would pay, so people on low income, pensioners or otherwise, would not pay. This would also mean there would be no need for a costly benefit system. It would not require a separate income tax return. It is cheaper to collect than council tax, which would reduce the total amount collected.

Each person paying income tax would pay the local income tax through the existing Inland Revenue system. Readers with Internet access can visit axethetax.com to find out how their household's bill would change. Many individuals and organisations have already appreciated the fairness of such a system.

It is vital that the system is changed before the revaluation of properties takes effect in April 2007 - just two years away. Those in areas where house prices have risen the most since council tax was introduced will suffer the largest increases. Several places in the Stroud District are in the South West top 20 where house prices have more than doubled since council tax was introduced.

Dr John Cordwell BSc, PhD, Liberal Democrat County councillor for Wotton-under-Edge