RICHARD Batley is quite right to state that the Sapphire should be lifted (October 31). The families wish to recover the bodies of their loved ones which may not be ''lost at sea'' (Dorothea Sloan, October 31). Mr Batley is prepared to contribute to a fund, but let us hope that this will not be necessary.

There must be a Scottish Lottery millionaire who is prepared to write a cheque for the salvage operation. It will make that person feel good and a close examination of the Sapphire by experts may discover the cause of the sinking, leading to improved designs for such vessels.

The fishing community located the spot for the authorities. Glenda Jackson has unwittingly given powerful ammunition to the SNP who would have had the Sapphire raised without any delay whatsoever. Money is not the bottom line here. It is the will to make things happen which matters.

Alasdair Forbes,

35 Braefoot Avenue,

Milngavie,

October 31.