In the recent Referendum, the Brexit bus toured the country with a painted slogan stating that Britain paid the EU £350 million a week and that this should be used for the National Health Service.

If true, I am informed that such a sum would be more than adequate to give the nurses a meaningful increase in pay. The Government, however, now says it cannot afford it.

As far as I can see both statements cannot be true. Either there is sufficient money in the kitty to pay more to the nurses or else the Brexit slogan was false.

The Conservative MP for South Dorset is both a strong Brexiteer and a wealthy member of Parliament. We may confidently expect, therefore, that he understands a thing or two about high finance. So perhaps he can explain this apparent contradiction to the rest of us.

Dr Alan Chedzoy

Spa Road

Weymouth