Sir; In a highly emotive campaign the National Federation of Retail Newsagents claims independent retailers are being forced out of business by wholesalers' actions. This paints a misleading picture of the UK's newspaper supply chain which is one of the most complex, flexible and efficient in the world. Operating 364 nights a year, this universal service' allows 14 million newspapers to be delivered to over 54,000 outlets within a 3-4 hour window ­ irrespective of size or location. Retailers' call for a free market would result in wholesalers competing to supply more profitable accounts while potentially abandoning the small, uneconomic and remote retailers. This would put at risk the independent outlets that the retailers claim are being damaged by the present system. Wholesalers are also accused of having imposed massive and crippling carriage service charge increases. Again this is misleading. Recent changes are a result of new tariffs which addressed the inequalities between pre' and post' Code of Practice retailers. Moreover, one third of all retailers have experienced a reduction in charges while the average independent retailer with an average weekly invoice value is still only paying £4-£4.50 per day. In reality the majority of independent CTN closures have resulted from the changing market place. Newspaper sales are now spread more thinly over a larger retail estate and leading supermarkets have built a major share of the newspaper and magazine market. However, the present system of exclusive publisher contracts uniquely benefits the independent newsagent. Wholesalers are committed to enhancing the current supply chain for the benefit of all. Ill-conceived arguments and potentially misleading information must not be allowed to damage the newstrade structure which so effectively ensures widespread availability of newspapers and magazines throughout the UK. Terry Perry Managing director Association of News and Magazine Wholesalers {{LETTERS }}