I was horrified to read that Hereford Council have spent '£200,000 over the last three financial years on NDAs'. That money could and should have been spent on things to benefit the residents of Hereford and environs.

I cannot accept that tax payer's hard-earned money is spent in this manner. No-one should be paid for their silence as I see it. Why this practice is legal I cannot imagine, it certainly should not be. What exactly is being covered up that requires large amounts of money to be paid out to prevent something becoming common knowledge ?

Certainly persons in 'sensitive' employment, where our national safety or security would be compromised by disclosures are already covered by The Official Secrets Act, no payment is made to the employee for their silence.

Jacqueline Walker

Withington