I have lived in the UK for nineteen years (I have dual nationality) . . .and I didn't know there were two numbers for the emergency services!

Catriona Given, Welwyn Garden City, UK

This article just goes to show what dubious lenghts people will go to, from all backgrounds, to secure a British Passport.

I personally think it is time that these abusers were dealt with, severely, by the judicial system, to enlighten them of true British justice. Surely this will be the finest way to encourage and to set moral standards, to applicants for citizenship.

R. P. Dixon, Bracknell,

Well My wife passed this test last year. She is Russian.

I am English (born and bred) and the peurile politically correct "Life in the UK" book is an appropriate epitaph for David Blunkett's career at the Home Office. The contents of this tome do not represent the "core values" of being British!

My wife found the test laughably simple - finished in 10 minutes and passed. She wondered what all the fuss was about! However she speaks/reads and writes English fluently.

Immigrants MUST learn English. We need to make adequete educational provision for this. I think all immigrants who liove and work in the UK should attend an English language course with proper asessment by coursework and exams.

Forget the political indoctrination inherant in the current "Life in UK" text. Once you know enough English to read the newspapers this "flim Flam" is unnecessary. The test itself is far too easy. The standard was set by politicians obsessed by "spin", who wish to appear to do something whilst not addressing the basic issue - English language skills.

The fact that Immigrants are trying to "buy" a test result reflects not just on corruption of the test administrators but on the very poor English skills in certain sections of the immigrant community. We need to provide good accessible English language education to resolve these issues, not just "crack down" on those who seek to circumvent the system.

Leslie, Wilmslow, UK

I disagree entirely with the above contributor. School heads should teach only in English (or Welsh were appropiate) this is the national language of the country, and any child who does not speak it fluently will suffer in the United Kingdom.

It's absolutely essential that rigorous tests are imposed, both for a diverse population to have some cohesion, and to those who are joining the UK, who will benefit enormously from learning the language.

David Watson, Manchester, England

This fraud is an example of ill conceived ideas implemented because it happens in the USA. I look forward to the implimentation of the ID card and an another challenge for the criminal ferternity. "Life in UK test" is discriminatory rather than encouraging learning. It is shamefull to see that our own politician do not speak any other language. First effort should be that every child in the UK should be fluent in atleast one European language, So that future politician who represent us as Prime Minister or MEP can converse with his/her counterpart more freely. Second effort should be to let school Heads to decide what language is appropriate to teach in their school. We don't need politicians to dictate their own agenda because they want to appease some people in the society. Imigrants are well informed, motivated and eagre to learn and make valuable contribution to which ever country they go to.

Anoop Kumar Verma, Farnborough, Hampshire, England, UK

Not surprised!! It would appear in the 6 years I have lived in the UK fraud and corruption has more than quadrupled and little seems to be done to stem the flow of immigrants. I remember only too well what it cost me to get the correct visa to enter the UK, then I had to apply for indefinite leave to stay (another charge) and finally apply for citizenship (again another charge) and I've been married to a UK citizen for 40 years.

Merle Samuel, Thatcham, UK