We wouldn’t allow people to starve here – that would be bad for tourism

Saturday 16th August 2008, 9:55AM BST.

From Jeff Le Caudey.
I WAS surprised and disappointed at the reaction of John Avery (JEP, 9 August) to apparently meeting a beggar for the first time in his 17 years in Jersey.

His immediate thought was to deride what he calls our rich Island and attack our politicians for allowing people to reach this level of starvation.

I would suggest that the person he met may have had reasons other than starvation for wanting money.
I have lived in our Island since 1929 and have never, ever met such a person as he encountered.

I am sure that, given another 17 years in residence, Mr Avery will realise that, as a general rule, we in Jersey try not to allow people to starve to death. It would be bad for tourism.
10 St Helier Court,
Val Plaisant,
St Helier.